Mind The Gap

On Tuesday night, Kate welcomed me to London with a bottle of wine, wedge of brie, and half eaten loaf of bread. It was the tell-tale sign that this leg of my trip would be nothing short of perfect. Kate is attending Westminster this semester and is living at the Harrow campus 8 miles from downtown ( so a 30 minute tube ride). I got in around 11pm and was immediately welcomed by her flatmates Freddy and Hanna (both british), Alex (french), and Daniel (american). Some of the other friends of Freddy and Hanna's joined us in their common kitchen/dining room playing "Ducky Fuzz/Fuzzy Duck " - for a full explanation check out Kate's Blog (The REAL Mind The Gap). It was a great way to get to know echother and laugh until our stomachs hurt.

Soaking up grey London skies atop a Lion

We wasted no time diving right in to London. Kate had only arrived the week before so she still had orientation events and I was able to tag along. First up: scavenger hunt with Hanneke (who happens to be from Groningen,Netherlands!), Marielene (from Germany), and another American student. When we came up from the tube into Trafalgar Square it was breathtaking. More than any of the cities I had been to, London felt as if it was right out of the movies. Maybe this is how tourists feel when they walk through Times Square, or drive down the Vegas Strip? I was completely awestruck, and not paying enough attention to pedestrian walkways and honking cabbys. Thankfully Kate was practically a local and led the way. The lions in front of the pillar were the perfect challenge to climb. I truly felt like HM Queen Elizabeth attop my regal ride. Behind me was the in the National Gallery and straight ahead, down a street full of picturesque buildings, trees, and double deckers, was Big Ben. Yep, I could get used to this life. Kate and I had  spent some time in the National Gallery earlier, enjoying one of London's best features: free museums.

While the girls continued through their list of questions I followed along with my head craning in every direction. We made our way towards Parliament, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye. Much to my surprise, there is an annual period of maintenance for the Eye. It would only make sense that I would visit during that small window. I brought my lady luck with me. So unfortunately it reopened 3 days after I left. I guess that just means I have to go back, right?! As we walked across the Jubilee Bridge I must have looked over my left shoulder about 100 times because I couldnt believe that the Eye, River Thames, Big Ben, and Parliament were just right there in a gorgeous panorama.  I really am one very lucky girl right now, I can't tell you how grateful I am for moments like these. Covet Garden was next on the list and as we weaved through pub lined streets, a classic covered market opened up right around a busy corner. I didn't really walk through it per say, more so around it, but it was fun to see all the English ladies bustling in and out of the shops and stalls. The area was surrounded by designer stores and International chains, it sort of took away  from the quaint feel of the Covet Garden.But, I guess this is London, it can't all be from the history books. Hanneke, Mari, Kate and I all enjoyed my first drink in London in a local pub right off of Drury Lane.

Abbey Road

The next day we were meeting some of Kate's friends from orientation, most of which were Queen Mary students (read: The coolest non-british people I met in London). But first, we wanted to make a few notable pit stops. The Baker Street stop was a frequent change station for us, but it wasn't until we actually walked out street level, that I noticed the Sherlock Holmes tiles lining the station wall. How fitting since we were on our way to 221 b Baker St. The Sherlock Holmes Museum was a full of quirky hats and gifts. The poor guard in front must get so tired of taking pictures with all of the visitors, but you would have never guessed by his excitement as we approached the front steps. About a mile away is Abbey Road Studios. I am absoultely certain that the residents and drivers in the area absolutely hate the famous Zebra crossing. That didn't stop Kate and I from following in the footsteps of four of the greatest men to cross the pond.

Spain, Kate, Hillary, Catherine, and I
with the Rosetta Stone

At the British museum we met up with the QM girls: (Liz) Spain, Hillary, and Catherine.  Two of the QM guys, Michele and Hunter, met up with us afterwards and we all had the most delicious Indian dinner- side note, thank you Hillary for introducing me to Vegetable Biriyani, it is my standard Indian dish now! We headed back to QM's campus on the south east side of town and had a few drinks at The New Globe ( read: my new favorite place/pub). This time, my little lady luck was coming around because not five minutes after we sat down in came  a flood of British footballers ages 23-28 through the doors. How convenient that there are pitches nearby and they had just finished the season so the whole league was coming for drinks and awards. The referee/Emcee was kind enough to explain all of this to us before he silenced the entire bar for the ceremonies.Yes, grown men were  recieving tiny trophies and ample applause from our 'American' table :) Sadly, the group of misfit duders were the overall champions and the cute and friendly table next to us were the Sportsmanship award winner,s and a couple of them were married. But that's alright, it was a fun night at the Globe. Little did I know it could only get better.

New Globe Men's League Awards Ceremony

next up: boat cruise- How's your father
Christina