On our arrival in London I was very surprised that we first came in the Paddington Station. Growing up London meant Paddington Bear with marmalade sandwiches and big red hats. Of course London is nothing like a Children's book...especially modern London.
After our first day the weather changed. The rain and overcast sky spent the rest of the trip with us - making sure we didn't miss our home weather too much. We only got caught in a few downpours, which made our jackets an everyday take a long. We decided to do a bus tour of the city, where we happily slid on some plastic ponchos. Seeing the city nice and wet made London a little more like home.
One thing that Brad and I both share is a fascination with WWII. In that case we HAD to visit
the Winston Churchill Museum. It is housed in a bunker that government employees and Churchill himself lived during the War. It was amazing to see the British side of that time period and how the USA played an important role. It was very fun and and eye opening and allowed us to geek out a little!
The hotel we stayed in was the Castleton Hotel. I only say this because no one should stay at the Castleton Hotel. My dorm room was bigger than this room, and the bathroom looked like it belonged in a camper. Needless to say we did not spend a lot of time at our hotel.
Our first day in London we had beautiful weather. Taking the Tube we explored the city's main tourist attractions - Big Ben, Parliament Building, and Westminster Abbey. This was also the day
that after walking around for hours we found out our hotel was in Little Pakistan which meant that the only food available was Pakistani. Not really our taste. London's food was not really the best. Mushy peas, fried fish, and kidney pie. Yummers. Good thing they have some wonderful beer! We drank a pint a day in London, enjoying the pubs and locals after hours. It was just finding the food to go with the pints that seemed to be difficult since most restaurants closed early. Good travel tip - Londoners eat early. Wish we would have known that!
that after walking around for hours we found out our hotel was in Little Pakistan which meant that the only food available was Pakistani. Not really our taste. London's food was not really the best. Mushy peas, fried fish, and kidney pie. Yummers. Good thing they have some wonderful beer! We drank a pint a day in London, enjoying the pubs and locals after hours. It was just finding the food to go with the pints that seemed to be difficult since most restaurants closed early. Good travel tip - Londoners eat early. Wish we would have known that!
We got up early one day to watch the changing of the guard. It was so definitely an experience - lots of tourists, police, and fanfare. We read that the Union Flag (red white and blue flag) is flown 
that means the Queen is not at home at Buckingham. The Union Flag was flying that day so she must have been on vacation, but they still do a wonderful show without her there. I just kept thinking that if I were the Queen I would sit inside and watch the crowds gather and hear their oohs and aahs. It is definitely a must when you visit London, even though the band did play contemporary rock music rather than the expected classical march. The ceremony and beauty is just wonderful - very English looking if not sounding.
that means the Queen is not at home at Buckingham. The Union Flag was flying that day so she must have been on vacation, but they still do a wonderful show without her there. I just kept thinking that if I were the Queen I would sit inside and watch the crowds gather and hear their oohs and aahs. It is definitely a must when you visit London, even though the band did play contemporary rock music rather than the expected classical march. The ceremony and beauty is just wonderful - very English looking if not sounding.
After our first day the weather changed. The rain and overcast sky spent the rest of the trip with us - making sure we didn't miss our home weather too much. We only got caught in a few downpours, which made our jackets an everyday take a long. We decided to do a bus tour of the city, where we happily slid on some plastic ponchos. Seeing the city nice and wet made London a little more like home.One thing that Brad and I both share is a fascination with WWII. In that case we HAD to visit
the Winston Churchill Museum. It is housed in a bunker that government employees and Churchill himself lived during the War. It was amazing to see the British side of that time period and how the USA played an important role. It was very fun and and eye opening and allowed us to geek out a little!
You can't go to London without going to Westminster Abbey. In High School I watched as Princess Diana's funeral processional lead to the doors of the large Abbey, and to see the real thing was like a dream. It wasn't at all what I thought it would be, mostly considering there were a lot of dead people everywhere - the 
floors, the hallways, every nook and cranny. Some were even on top of others, crammed together in this beautiful building. You couldn't spend all day just reading the epitaphs, but luckily we had the audio guide that gave us an abridged version of what I needed to see. Considering my fascination with Henry the VII and the Tudors I was excited to see Elizabeth and Mary's graves as well as Mary Queen of Scots. History really comes to life when you can actually see and feel it. Not to mention TV and movies that literally bring history to life. Westminster Abbey took a lot longer than I thought it would, but it was definitely worth a visit. They even had a video that showed the crowning of the current Queen...making me think that I may be able to see two royal ceremonies in my lifetime - Charles and William. We'll see, but it is very exciting to actually see where it all can happen!
floors, the hallways, every nook and cranny. Some were even on top of others, crammed together in this beautiful building. You couldn't spend all day just reading the epitaphs, but luckily we had the audio guide that gave us an abridged version of what I needed to see. Considering my fascination with Henry the VII and the Tudors I was excited to see Elizabeth and Mary's graves as well as Mary Queen of Scots. History really comes to life when you can actually see and feel it. Not to mention TV and movies that literally bring history to life. Westminster Abbey took a lot longer than I thought it would, but it was definitely worth a visit. They even had a video that showed the crowning of the current Queen...making me think that I may be able to see two royal ceremonies in my lifetime - Charles and William. We'll see, but it is very exciting to actually see where it all can happen!
There was so much more in London, but I think this is enough for a post for now! Stay tuned...up next London Eye, The National Gallery (Rick Steves Style), British Museum, and Tower of London, and Chelsea Football.
Here is a video of the changing of the guard.
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