Loving London

Molly and I by Buckingham Palace.

Two weekends ago I went to London to visit Molly, one of my best friends from UNC. For those who don't know, Molly is studying and interning in London this semester. I hadn't seen her since the beginning of May so seeing her in London was a wonderful reunion! She gives admissions tours at UNC so I was in good hands as a tourist in London. We did so many things! It still amazes me how much we did and saw in one weekend.

On Friday night Molly picked me up from the train station and one of the first things we did was prepare to get on the Hogwarts Express from Kings Cross to Hogsmeade Station take photos at Platform 9 3/4.

 

Friday night we went to dinner in Chinatown to celebrate the 21st birthday of one of her friends and then hung out back at her flat where we watched some Glee (of course) and did a lot of catching up.

Saturday morning we started off the day by seeing some of London's major sights. We walked for over six hours and didn't sit down until later in the afternoon. Molly is an amazing tour guide and I got to see more than I expected to, which I'm so grateful for. On our Saturday walking tour we hit up:

1. Thames
2. Big Ben
3. London Eye
4. Parliament
5. Westminster Abbey
6. Buckingham Palace - with changing of the guards.
7. Trafalgar Square
8. The National Gallery
9. The National Portrait Gallery
10. The Globe
11. Borough Market
12. Millenium Bridge
13. St. Patrick's Cathedral

Two of my favorite places where the National Portrait Gallery and Borough Market. We were only at the gallery for a few minutes but we got to see the Mario Testino exhibit featuring intimate pictures of the royal family. At Borough Market we both got hot apple cider, I got blueberry cheesecake and Molly got some fruit. Going there on an empty stomach would have been dangerous for both my health and wallet. There was soooo much delicious food! 

In front of the London Eye.

Big Ben

Poppies and crosses outside of Westminster Abbey for Remembrance Day.

Molly and I by Big Ben.

Preparing for changing of the guards.

Buckingham Palace during changing of the guards. So many people!

Borough Market

St. Patrick's Cathedral

After relaxing and having dinner back at Molly's flat, we went and saw Shrek the Musical, which happened to be playing right off of Drury Lane. The show was lots of fun and a nice way to end an amazing day.

On Sunday we did a toned down version of our Saturday walking tour but still saw and did a lot. Molly's flat is right by the British Museum so we started the day off there. I love museums but was almost overwhelmed by this one. The Rosetta Stone is one of the museum's main attractions and a major tourist draw. As an art history major, it made me a little sad to see people experiencing it through their camera. It also made it difficult for others trying to see it. Plus it was super crowded so I was a little overwhelmed. God help me if I go to the Louvre and try to see the Mona Lisa.

After the British Museum, we went to Brick Lane Market which has a lot of artisan stalls and a great food market. It seemed like you could get your lunch from any area of the world. I had chinese food and after we left the market, Molly and I got some yummy Indian treats from a local bakery. 

On Sunday we also went to the Victoria & Albert Museum, Covent Garden, Harrods, London Tower and Tower Bridge. One could spend hours in Harrods! The best part was the Christmas section of course.

Tower Bridge 

On Monday, Molly went to her internship so I went to the Tate Britain and got to see an exhibit featuring one of my favorite artists, J. M. W. Turner. After that, I met one of Molly's flatmates, Jillian, for lunch and she showed me around Hyde Park and Kensington Palace that afternoon.  

Kensington Palace

When Molly got back from her internship, she brought me to the train station to say goodbye. I had such an amazing weekend in London with Molly and getting to spend time with her after not seeing her for more than six months made me cry of course. Usually I've been ready to go back to Edinburgh after trips but I didn't want to leave London! It's definitely a place I could visit again and again. 

Molly, thanks for being a gracious host, great guide and amazing friend! 

In other news:

1. Edinburgh doesn't have squirrels so I got to see some in London. Don't know if I would call seeing them comforting but it was funny to watch tourists take photos of them.

2. London's Starbucks actually get my name right! In Edinburgh I've been Aidi, Lily, and Kathy when I say Katie and Fill and Feild when I say Field. I think I need to stress the T.

3. Today I had the pleasure of getting lunch with Kristen, who Anne was a Young Life leader to about twenty years ago. It was so nice to step out of the student/study abroad life for a bit and connect with Kristen. Thank you Anne for setting us up! I had a great time and also got to meet Kristen's family. They've been in Edinburgh for about the same time I have and are going back to the States a few days before me. We're planning on meeting up again in December when I'm done with classes and have a week in Edinburgh with no commitments. I'm really excited!

Kristen and I at Nando's.

Crunch time now! Ten days until I'm done with my work. Hope everyone is having a great weekend and has a Happy Thanksgiving! I'll be missing everyone extra hard that day so eat lots of pumpkin pie in my honor.