[8] London, England

So this is the first time I've updated outside of the country, and I am quite excited to do so. My mom and I are currently sitting in the basement of some Italian-ish cafe in London near our hostel, which is just north of Kensington Gardens. Of course our time here has already been a whirlwind, but it has also been a lot of fun, so allow me to summarize.


Day One: A really long plane ride, a train ride, a bus ride and an underground ride. Apparently Dr. Cousland was also on our flight. We discovered this at Gatwick Airport while waiting for our luggage. He is here to deliver a paper on Adam and Eve (some literaturey thing) in Edinburgh.

This probably doesn't come as a surprise to some of you, but he suggested a really good place to test whiskeys near Waverly Station in Edinburgh. When we arrived in London (and after a nap on my mother's part (-1 point for over napping)) we walked down Oxford Street (full of shops, think Robson Street x100) to find a meal. We also did some browsing, and were intending to get to Piccadilly Circus, but didn't turn down Regent Street when we should have at Oxford Circus (Circus= a bit round about in the middle of the road which is very confu sing to cross at) so we didn't see what we wanted to see, and saw more of the same (shops and tourists).

Oh yes and somewhere in between we walked through Kensington Garden and maybe even part of Hyde Park. While sitting on a bench, we were harassed by a local bum with an empty mickey of something or other. It was great. I love London (my mom laughs, and corrects me that we were sworn at, and it may have been us, since we may have been sitting on his bench (was his name on it, no!)).

Day Two: The British Museum. Yes, imagine me in a museum with stuff I'm interested in. You know how I get about these things. My Mom thinks the Elgin Marbles and all stolen antiquities should be returned (note: to the officals and British Authorities who may be reading this (how unlikely), this is her humble opinion as a private citizen of Canada, and not actually a threat as a member of an international antiquities repatriation league).

Day Two, later: We walked down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace and spent some nice time in Regent's Park. It was evening and all the ducks and tourists were out. At a certain point I begin to wonder whether or not there are any people here who are not tourists. While rounding Buckingham Palace (sorry Ashley and Sara, no Princes today), we noticed Newfoundland Gate (which is right next to Canada Gate, Australia Gate, West Africa Gate, etc.). I found that humorous, but then again, it was its own commonwealth "country" (I use that term loosely) during the Victorian years. After Buckingham Palace we walked towards Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Parliament House and #10 Downing Street. Of course, none of this stuff was actually open for viewing when we were there, which is good, because we would have to pay an arm and a leg to get in! When we were in Trafalgar Square later that evening we happened upon London's Canada Day celebration. Yes, you heard me! Canada Day 2006 in Trafalgar Square featuring the musical talent of Ron Sexsmith (!!!) and the Heavy Blinkers (?? -- actually, they were pretty good, so check them out). It was an open beer garden (yes, people can wander around with open liquor outside pubs without getting harrassed or arrested) with lots of people, and not all of them were Canadians. You could tell who was because they sang along to the Great Big Sea song on the jumbo-tron. All in all, our busiest day.

Day Three: Eat your heart out all ye English Scholars! We travelled to Stratford-upon-Avon (Ah-von, not eh-von, apparently). We arrived at our bus barely on time, and this morning I managed to spill (not my fault, damn underground, stopping so efficiently at stops) scalding English Breakfast tea on my mom on the Circle Line to Victoria Station (-10 points for Laura, +10 to mom for not complaining). The bus trip was quiet and my mom napped. She does that a lot. It cuts into our touring time, especially since most stuff closes at 4pm around here. (she wants to point out she only did this once, and I reminded her that it could potentially interfere if she continues). We ate lunch with my mom's co-worker Amy and her fiancee Ian at the Rose and Crown in Stratford. It was a quaint pub with superb food (rare, I know). Then we saw Julius Caesar at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. No, Patrick Stewart was not in it because they changed the casting list a few weeks ago. We were so sad :( :( :( :(. The play was amazing however, especially the performances of Cassius, Portia and Antonius. I was unconvinced about Antonius, but by the end of this "Friends, Countrymen..." speech, I was convinced! After the play we mosied on over to Shakespeare's Grave site inside Holy Trinity Church. It was rather solemn and beautiful. I have pictures, I promise, Meredith.

Well, my MOM is reminding me that it' 23h21 here and that I'm making her sit downstairs at some Italiah-ish cafe off Bayswater and Queensway (near our hotel) north of Kensington Gardens. Tomorrow will be a busy day (and our last one in London before we take a 9.5 hour bus ride to Edinburgh).

I hope this update has whetted and sated your appetite for my travels thus far. Goodnight and goodluck!