London Wonders

London is fantastic. No wonder everyone falls in love with it at some point or another. It's massive, there are so many people, there are just as many tourists, there is amazing food, there are tons of pubs, there is a good amount of traffic, and doubledecker buses (my favorite thing here), amazing sights, free museums, what else could not NOT like?

After a long drive on the M4, we dropped the rental off at Heathrow (suspicious looks around the car, but it was deemed 'clean') we took the Heathrow Express into Paddington station. Few blocks to the hotel, and we checked into the fabulous Gore hotel. Other than the first night with a smoker next door ('She didn't have a balcony to smoke on so she just smoked out her window.') Right.

We are knocking off the sites with relaxed rigor, including the awesome British Museum yesterday with a whirlwind but awe-inspiring tour. They had a 'touch' exhibit where we got to feel and hold real Roman coins, where we learned where some coin details from today even come from...faces on coins, or even having regional items on the back. For instance, in modern times the Euro has icons for the country it started circulation...in roman times you'd see the army you were a part of...a very propoganda-type mindscrew.

Later, we proved why you can never get church-ed out! St. Paul's cathedral is amazing! We even climbed the 500+ steps up to the top of the dome. (You would not believe how claustrophobic it gets..but we managed and the pictures from up top are incredible. Then a walk across Millenium Bridge, a tour through the Modern Tate, a stroll down the Thames, and a look at Tower Bridge.

The last time I was in London was when I was 16 or 17 with Rob...we took a day-trip down to London and went EVERYWHERE! Now that he and his family live in London, we could not pass up meeting him for lunch and it was fantastic! Went to a pub and had some Bangers and Mash (what happens in London stays in London) and loads of great conversation. It's funny to see the three of us all grown up and doing well. I wish we had more time to spend with eachother and Amy. Alas, the overachievers are already up, showered, and ready to hit the sights for the last big hurrah in England. Gonna be a long exciting fun thrilling day - off we go!

Tschuess!