On our last day together, Jason and I went to London. He was to fly out of there at the end of the day anyways, so we figured we might as well get there early and explore the city. Other than flying into Heathrow, I had never been to London. Jason had explored there a little bit while waiting for transport to Swansea. Additionally, he had gone on a family vacation there previously. However, he was very young at the time and wanted to re-experience it now that he was older.
I had started to come down with a cold the night before and made sure to try and relax at the end of the night. However, it was Halloween the night before, and so Jason went out to Wind Street (pronounced wine street typically). He didn't go out too long (we had to be up early since the bus ride was four and a half hours and we wanted a decent amount of time there). Apparently it wasn't too much fun as he didn't have a costume, was there too early, and didn't know anyone. But at least he did something on Halloween other than stay in bed.
I'll admit that I was very sad to not have a Halloween. It's one of my favorite holidays. Decorating the house all spooky. Giving out candy to trick-or-treaters. Maybe going to a corn maze with friends. Last year I didn't have a traditional Halloween either, though. The Giants had just won the World Series and so my dad and I went into the city in order to see the parade. Plus, this year I went to the Hogwarts Society's Deathday party with a bunch of my friends in Wales (I wore a Central Perk shirt and a turkey hat in order to be Joey Tribbiani from Friends). In that regard, I had more of a Halloween here than in America.
But most importantly, the next day I would be in London. Never had I ever thought the day would come. It's somewhere I always romanticized from the outside. I longingly watched as Sherlock and Watson run about the city fighting crime. As the London Eye spun in the background of the intro scene, I always thought it was cool, yet nothing I would ever see in person.
But sure enough, the next day we woke up, had breakfast, packed a lunch, and were on our way to London. It was an absolute blast! Jason is one of the best tour guides ever as well. He had mapped out the journey so that we could maximize all of the touristy things done in a day.
Right when we got off the bus, we went to a coat check at the station so he did not have to lug around all the clothes, etc. he brought over for the excursion. After that, we were on our way to see Buckingham Palace. It was hard to believe I was in the same city as the Queen! But now I would see her palace? The whole thing still felt surreal and I had to remind myself where I was towards the beginning. Yes, Sierra. You made it. You really are in London. This is London.
Jason did get a little turned around at first, but we were able to find our way. The signs helped.
Plus, on the way I saw my first phone box in London! Sure, I had run across them in other parts of England and even one in the Gower. But this was a London phone box. Much cooler.
On our way down Buckingham Palace Road, I'll admit I didn't really know what I was looking for. Although I figured it was a "you'll know it when you see it" type thing, I wasn't really sure. Although I had seen it many times in TV shows and movies, they had all blurred away and I had forgotten exactly what this palace looked like. Plus, perhaps it wasn't right on the main road? I put my faith in Jason.
However, once the wall had a sign advertising tickets for Buckingham Palace, I got excited. I figured that I would be able to see the outside (everyone does), but to actually go in? Dream come true! It cost the equivalent of almost $13, but I argued that when else would I get the opportunity to go inside the palace? Jason was hesitant at first, but I was able to convince him.
Previously he had heard stories of how useless student discounts were in the UK (compared to France where they are all significant) and was saddened to realize he saved less than a pound with his student ID. Plus, after I had managed to get him really excited about the prospect of seeing the palace, he looked at the ticket with more scrutiny. "Sierra, I think we've made a terrible mistake."
The ticket stated that it was for the Royal Mews. Although I wasn't sure what that meant at the time, I was able to figure it out real fast. We had not managed to get tickets for the palace. We got tickets for its stables. I think we both felt a little stupid at the time. But hey! Seeing the horses and carriages is still more than many others can claim.
As we walked in, one of the ladies started talking to us (asking us where we were from, etc.). When we told her that we were from California, she asked where at. It turned out she was from Livermore. As soon as she said it I realized that she didn't have the posh London accent like many others. During my time at Swansea I have gotten so used to hearing a myriad of accents, that I suppose I had started to stop noticing the differences. So when an American starts speaking to me I don't even realize it.
Once they had done their security checks and given me an audio guide (Jason declined them, claiming that they are never any good), we were on our way. The stables were the first thing we saw. At first I figured it was statues to give the place a realistic appearance. After a few seconds, though, I noticed these "statues" moving. I turned to Jason and exclaimed, "They're real horses!"
"You can't fake that smile," he replied. I must have been grinning like an idiot.
All of the horses have plaques with their name and year of birth. Additionally, the queen names all of the horses personally. I also noticed that all of the horses (at least the ones that were there) were a beautiful white. This is likely the hand-picked color as they breed all of their own horses to the highest standard.
As I went through and read the signs, I noticed a lot of repeat information on the audio guide. This trend continued through when we saw the stage coaches. Although it wasn't all the same, it was similar enough that I just stuck to reading the signs and ditched the guide.
The royal stage coaches are kept in their own stations outside of the stables. Each one has it's own little room dedicated to it along with the name and description on a plague on the door.
The outside patio area.
They were all very similar to this in appearance, but decorated differently.
Plaque for above coach.
After we had seen all of the stage coaches, the last room had the royal car in it. Sometimes the queen is just in a hurry and needs something speedier and less showy than a horse drawn stage coach.
There was another room with simpler carriages and other things. Lots of empty spaces for them. Additionally, we got to see some o the gear. If you come at certain times, you can even see the people cleaning the gear or putting it away. There was a sign reminding us that this is an actively used facility and not a museum. The queen does use these coaches and horses. The stallions are also taken out every day. Their job isn't just to stand around looking pretty for tourists. These are living, breathing, working animals. Probably why so many of them were missing. They need their exercise,
Stirrups
The final piece...the pièce de résistance...the Golden Coach.
Now these are fake horses and people.
Looks better in real life, as most things do,
One of the sides. Golden details are all over this thing.
This is the coach used only for very special occasions. Typically it sits here for all to gawk at. Yes, it is a little gaudy as it is totally golden with excessive details all around it. But there is a certain charm of stature that comes along with such an appearance. This was the last big part of the place. Outside was a gift shop and some of the outfits worn by staff. For the money, we didn't see a lot. That was something we were a little disappointed in. But it was still very cool. I don't think I would change what we did if I could. After we didn't see Buckingham Palace, we continued on our way to actually see Buckingham Palace (not just the Royal Mews). My tactic of "you'll know it when you see it" definitely came true.
A view from the first gate (camera conveniently stuck through grating).
Dreams do come true! :D
I couldn't stop grinning! And although I'm sure Jason has been here before on his family trip, he indulged my excited touristy energy. It was still cool for him too. I mean, this is where the Queen lives! Love or hate the royal family, this is cool.
Neat statue across the way.
Yep. I could live here. Going on holiday for the weekend to Italy for pasta or taking a ride in one of those carriages. I saw a house I liked in the Gower too. I suppose I just want to live everywhere in the UK.
One of the guards outside the palace.
From there, it was onto St. James Park for a much needed lunch. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised. My thought was that if they made the lakes at Sonoma State huge and added many different bird species, this is what it would look like. Of course, SSU doesn't have large bridges and a view of the London Eye in the background.
Eating a Welsh cake from Swansea market in London. Our post-lunch pudding.
Perfect lunch spot. Perfect walk.
London Eye
London scarf and all!
Cities are fine, but I have to say that I prefer getting out of the city and taking in nature. This is why Snowdonia was so much fun. It offered a chance to take a step back from the hustle and bustle and really just take in the natural world.
Despite this, I was beyond excited for the opportunity to see Big Ben and the London Eye (which I was just able to get a glace of so far). Last year, we had a collection of framed posters hung in our living room. One was of the Golden gate Bridge, but the other two were of London. Mine had a telephone booth, while Shannon's had Big Ben with a red double decker bus in front of it. It was crazy to think that those posters would stop being beautiful fantasies and soon become real.
Made large so you can see Big Ben and the double decker buses in the background. Jason called this the most British picture he could have taken of me.
I had seen some very unclean telephone booths in London and a very clean one a long time ago, but in the Gower. This was the first proper London one I saw and my excitement was extreme. I keep saying how much this was all a dream, because it is true. I constantly had to remind myself that it was real. That I was achieving something I once believed impossible. The surreal feeling stuck with me for a long time.
Entrance to the London metro by Big Ben.
*dying a little on the inside*
The crowd of tourists as we approach the London Eye.
Looking over the bridge at the London Eye.
On our way through the crowds, a lady tried to sell us flowers wrapped up in foil, claiming that the children made them with their own hands and that any money made would go to them. Me, being the unexperienced and gullible traveller, gave her around 30p just because I didn't know what else to do. She asked if I had anything bigger, like a fiver, but I lied and said no. I wasn't that guillible. Jason on the other hand was able to expertly avoid the whole situation. I asked him what the odds were of that money really going to a children's charity. He gave me the sad truth. "None." At leas tI learned my lesson.
The "Shrek Adventure" it is advertising was practically right behind it.
I wanted to go on the London Eye, but the line was much too long and we were only there for a limited time. Instead, I settled on just being able to look at it. From there we walked along the water by a myriad of street performers. Whenever going to San Francisco or Swansea City Centre, one of my favorite parts is the people in the street singing, playing an instrument, or doing something wacky.
Plant man?
On the other side of the performers.
Jason didn't pay much attention to them and said that he has pretty much learned to tune them all out as there are so many in Paris. I think I am going to like Paris. What we both took interest in was their verion of street art. Since we were right by the water, there was sand down below the walkway. This sparked the idea for some to turn it into sand sculptures. One of them acted like a sailor and waved a flag around, as the water slowly came up and lapped away at his art.
Assessing the damage.
It'a a toilet with a shower right next door. By this point he took away the ruber ducky and such that decorated it.
Next door to the sailor was a more serious artist, who worked on perfecting his head.
Once it was apparent the sailor's little show ws over, we continued down the path and saw some more sand art, but this time on the pathway. He had brought buckets of the sand up and placed it on a towel. The water wouldn't be destroying his masterpiece.
There were other street performers as well. This was pretty much street performance road.
Our favorite part was being in London and seeing a guy sing "I Left my Heart in San Francisco." Especially when I was with my fellow Bay Area resident friend. Near him was an ice cream truck. I told Jason that if it was the whipped stuff, he had to try it (I had some in Nottingham). We tried to ask the man in the truck, but he didn't seem to understand what we were asking. Jason got some anyways and it turns out that it was indeed the frozen, whipped cream-like stuff I got before.
After seeing people performing on the streets, it was time to see where the masters performed.
Shakespear's Globe
This is a replica, not the original (but still amazing to see). Although we wouldn't be able to see a play there, we still looked around and just generally took it in before our next stop. But to get there, we would have to cross the Millennium Bridge.
The sun was already starting to set on us.
A view of our next destination.
I do have a slight phobia of bridges, and even moreso with suspension bridges as you can feel them moving underneath you. It might have been pretty (walking across the water with the sun setting in the background), but whenever I am on bridges, I have a small fear of something catastropic happening.
Like this:
No death eaters were there that day, so we got lucky. But Jason did decide to get some roasted nuts, which led to some attacks whilst on the steps of Saint Paul's Cathedral.
Aside from pigeon attacks (and spinning around to avoid those attacks), the cathedral was absolutely stunning. I had only seen one other cathedral (the one in Bristal), but this one was better for sure.
One of my favorite pictures taken. I just love how the light from the setting sun hits it.
We weren't allowed to take pictures inside, but I saw everyone else doing it and figured it was not a hard and fast rule, but did get yelled at. Even Jason got upset with me when I just kept trying to push my luck. I'm glad he did, though, as it made me realize I was acting like one of those obnoxious American tourists without respect. I didn't know at the time, but I later realized why they don't want you taking pictures.
It's a holy place and they want it to be treated as such. Not as a tourist attraction. You are not allowed to take pictures as it is seen as disrespectful to the holiness of the place. But...I didn't know or understand and now do have the pictures to shw anyway.
As the sun set behind us, we stayed in for an organ recital. This is an old building with likely almost as ancient of an organ. It was a real priviledge to be able to sit there and listen to famous songs being played as I soaked up the beauty of the cathedral. To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to the recidal at first, but was glad that Jason decided it was worth our time.
It was dark by the time we got out, and we only had one stop left: Tower Bridge. This was saved for last so that we could see the bridge all lit up and gorgeous in the dark. However, when we got there we found that it was totally dark due to the fog and actually a lack of significant lighting.
Stunning. I know.
Actually not too bad.
And we also hung out around the castle (London Tower), which was both closed and equally stunning.
It was more lit up though.
Despite the lack of light, we wanted to walk across it.
There were these cool designs all over it The flag of England on a shield.
After we crossed the bridge, we wanted to go hang out in a pub for dinner. Simon the Tanner was the choie in the end, although they stopped serving food, so we settled on just having drinks. I tried toffee cidre thinking it would be delicious...it wan't. I mean, it was okay. But I've had a lot better. The toffee killed it. Jason was just happy to find a beer called American Dream and drink some of that.
From Google images since I forgot to take a picture. We sat to the right of this, by the window.
Jason's plane didn't leave until around 5 to 7 in the morning (don't remember the exact time, but essentially he was camping out at the airport). I had a bus to catch sooner, and so we had to start heading back. Since we had wanered very far from Victoria Coach Station, we would have to take the London metro back.
We wandered a lot of the city on our way to one. Not many people were out (this is not the city that never sleeps; Londoners fancy a snooze). We came across the Monument to the Great Fire in London, though again it was too dark to get a good view.
Jason told me that he is a big fine of little alleyways in cities, and so we went down one of those. The way the moon and the cloud hit the sky between the buildings was an incredible sight. Jason tried many different settings and angles on his camera to try and get a good shot of it. This might have been his favorite sight in London.
I'm sure his version turned out better.
From there, it was onto the metro and back to Swanea for me. But the metro was still quite an experience for me since not only is it famous, but I never use subways in America. That made it an even more novel experience.
It was sad to have Jason leave after so quick of a visit, but I am thankful that he came at all. Being on the other side of the world makes it easy to feel isolated, and so having a friend from the United States that I've known for years visit was an amazing morale booster.
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