Wonka and Walking

April 5, 2010

Amy, Grandma, Mom, and I have been busy, busy all weekend and today we go to Oxford. I’m dead tired after our days full of walking and eating and seeing, but we aren’t stopping anytime soon. I can’t even say how much having these three here means to me. I didn’t realize how much I missed home and everyone there until this weekend. So nice to see a familiar face in this crazy city! Amy leaves this morning, but Mom doesn’t want to talk about it. We wish she were staying, but apparently, she has this crazy thing called a job… huh. I’m so spoiled after four months of traveling, touring, easy classes, and zero work. It is going to be a big adjustment back to Madison. I did get by presentation for history class over with and that was a relief!

For history class, we toured St. Paul’s Cathedral on Thursday afternoon. We couldn’t take any pictures inside, but that church was probably the biggest, most decorated, most grand church we’ve seen. Charles and Diana were married there. No big stained glass windows, but huge painted panels lined the walls and ceilings, statues of saints stood everywhere, and this massive dome dominated the center of the cathedral. It reminded me of the state capital in Madison, but this one is the second biggest is Europe. I just sat in a chair and looked up in amazement. Until my neck started to hurt.

After WWII, they decided that St. Paul’s was an appropriate place for a memorial for all the Americans that had died fighting alongside Britain in the war. So, at the very west end sits this rather decorated enclave that houses a giant book with all the deceased soldiers names. And behind it, a three-paneled window with 50 symbols comprising a border – one for each state. We found the little badger with ‘Forward’ written above it. After that, out history professor took us down to the crypt to see the tombs of a few of the people we’d studied. I kind of hurried out after we walked up to the top of the church to see the view because Amy was waiting back at my apartment. Her flight got in just as my class started, so she was probably napping, but I still wanted to see her as soon as I could!

We went to the Prince of Wales and ate some pub food that night with Hal. Amy had a few specific things she wanted to do while in London again. First of which were a Strongbow and some fish and chips. She’s definitely got her priorities straight! After our feast, we headed back to the flat after hunting down some Cadbury Creme Eggs at a convenience store. Yum!

On Friday, we woke early and traveled into the middle of the city via tube. Our intention was to give Amy a bit of a tour around the area known at Temple. This is where all the British lawyers, they call them barrister or solicitors here, have their offices. But, it was Good Friday and everything was closed. We were even going to sit on in a few court cases, but nothing was open. Shoot. Plan B – we headed across town to the East End, mainly Brick Lane for some Indian food. Yum. Whoever said English food sucks was way off. As soon as I get home, I’m going to have to find some good Indian food and a restaurant/bar that somewhat resembles a pub. Anyway, Brick Lane was amazing as always. We shopped a bit around Spitalfields, but the market wasn’t going to it wasn’t that exciting. Amy and I did find some glasses at this souvenir shop. Only five pounds!

After that, we headed down to the Thames, toward the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. The Tower Bridge just blew me away the first time I saw it and I insist on bringing everyone to see it at least once. I think Amy liked it. You can’t not like it. It’s awesome! We walked all the way across the bridge in an attempt to find Bridget Jones’s door, which is located somewhere near Borough Market in Southwark. After I forgot to write down the address, that adventure was a bust. We couldn’t find it, but we did see the market. It was filled with food stands and people. I’m definitely coming back! I’ll get to see beautiful views of my beloved bridge while shopping and eating on the riverbank… oh, perfect day.

We Tubed it back to Gloucester Road, our regular stop near our flat, and walked to meet Grandma and Mom at their hotel. I really can’t believe I haven’t seen them in three months! It feels like I’ve only been here a few weeks. But I’ve missed them so much. And everyone else! I can’t wait to get home and see you all! Anyway, after a bit of talking about their flight and cab ride, we headed out to find something to eat. We found the Bunch of Grapes Pub on Brompton Road. Mom and Grandma ordered fish, chips, and a Strongbow. That meal was great. I’m so used to sitting in my room, atop my bunk bed with my bowl of oatmeal. I’ve got to get out more.

We walked to Harrods next. I’ve been putting off this visit for the entire trip. All of my roommates that have gone to this crazy store advised that you set aside an entire afternoon to just look around and eat. It is like a museum of really nice stuff you could never afford and an entire floor dedicated to food. Seriously, the food court is huge and so intense. Mom compared it to Willy Wonka. Every inch of the hall is decorated – the walls, floors, doors, counters. The candy and sweets room leads into the exotic foods room which leads to the tea room and then to the meat and fish room. Amy picked up some cupcakes and we all just stared around in awe. Seriously felt like Charlie Bucket in the Chocolate Factory. As we where heading down an escalator, trying to find the bathroom, the Willy Wonka theme song started playing. So funny.

Next, we went to Knightsbridge Station to buy Grandma and Mom’s Oyster passes for the Tube and buses. We waited around for the #9 bus for a while, and it eventually came. We rode it all the way to Trafalgar Square, driving passed Green Park and Piccadilly Circus all lit up at night. We sat in the very front seats on the upper deck of the bus. It was great. When we got off at Trafalgar Square, we took some pictures and then headed down towards the Thames. The river at night is so beautiful with all the bridges and buildings lit up on either side. More pictures. Even I was tired from all the walking when we got on the tube headed home. Luckily, Mom and Grandma’s hotel is only about 100 feet from the tube stop. We hung out at the hotel for a bit before Amy, Hal, and I headed back to my flat for a good night’s sleep.

Okay, I’ll be back with more in a bit. Have a bunch of things planned for today and I still have to write about Saturday and Sunday. London’s calling!

Cheerio,
Kelly