I know it's been a while since my last post, but I've got a lot to say now! So as it turns out, I didn't end up adventuring on Wednesday because I was exhausted when I got home from class. I ended up just watching a movie with Chelsea and taking a nap for a few hours.
Thursday, I had my full day of classes. The first one was ROUGH. I was literally falling asleep because I was so tired. My second class, we went on a "sports walk" around the covent garden, leicester square area. It was more of a pub walk in the beginning though because our tour guide basically pointed out a number of pubs that had some sort of sports significance haha. He told us all about the history and origin of so many different sports. He talked about bare knuckle boxing, tennis, Wisden/ Sooker (or pool/billiards), cricket, football (soccer), jousting and rowing! It was about 2 and a half hours and about a 4 mile walk! It was a lot of information, but it was cool to hear about all of the sports and see so many cool places.
On Thursday night, a bunch of us went out to Havana for half priced drinks! It was so much fun. We all took over one corner of the place where there were comfy couches and we had such a great time, but I mean, it's Havana, when don't we have a good time. I was also excited because one of the people I met my first week here came and I finally was able to give him an American dollar that he had wanted so badly. I guess American money is exotic here hahah.
The next morning I got ready and headed over to the Bloomsbury Hotel off the Tottenham Court Road Tube station because my dad, Aunt Hannah and Aunt Tiny were waiting there! Soon as I got there, they got ready and we headed out to lunch with my dad's friend Barry. We went to this pub/ restaurant that ended up being pretty "posh." The food was absolutely delicious and I even ended up having a glass of wine with my delicious steak. It was so nice to see Barry again because I haven't seen him since I was little.
After lunch, we headed over to the Royal Gardens Hotel. My dad had a connection (of course) and we were able to get a tour of the hotel and see all of the different rooms that are offered. Each section of the hotel overlooks a different area and it was just beautiful! I even saw where William and Kate are living! it was pretty exciting. After our tour, we had afternoon tea! It was not only my first official tea, but my first tea in London! It was a little different than heating up a cup of water and placing a tea bag in it! We each got our own pot of tea, a selection of finger sandwiches followed by a huge array of scones, pastries and other delicious treats. It was great!
After tea, we went to the place that originated my love for London. HARROD'S! I couldn't wait to go and I was so excited that I got to go with my dad. As I said in a previous post, my dad always brought me back something from Harrod's when he went to London and that's what started my love for the city before I even knew anything about it. As we walked through the doors, my breath was taken away. The place is MASSIVE. There is so much to see. We spent probably about an hour or so there and still didn't even see half the place. There is even a giant food court which I didn't know where you can get fresh meat, vegetables, fruit, fish, breads, pastries, everything! My dad bought me some Valentine's day chocolates because he will forever and always be my valentine :) When we got to the cookie and biscuit section, I even started to cry! I know, I'm such a sap. But I just looked at my dad with tears in my eyes and said "this is where it started, all of these years later, and here I am, in London, in Harrod's!" It was just a really great moment for me and kind of where everything came together, where I realized, I am finally in the city that I have wanted to go to for more than half my life! And as if it isn't great enough that I get to visit here, I am LIVING here and studying and having such a wonderful time. I know it's a lot of emotions for cookies to bring out... but it happened. True Story.
i don't know why this is sideways!
After Harrod's we headed back to the hotel. We had a quick drink in the bar of the hotel and then my dad handed over a suitcase that was full of peanut butter and mac n cheese, luna bars and cookies! (Thanks for the cookies, Mama Lisa! :) ) I was so excited to eat them! I went back to my flat, made some dinner and headed to bed.
The next morning, I woke up and headed back to the hotel where I met the three of them as they were having some coffee in the library. After coffee, we went to brunch at the Riding House with another one of my dad's friends, Liz Kershaw. She is a radio personality for BBC 1 which you can either listen to the radio, or all over the world online! She was so fantastic. I loved meeting her and she even offered to take me into the studio to watch her at work one day during the week. I really hope my schedule of classes and internship allows me to do that because that would be unbelievable. She's even in Wikipedia so she's pretty legit! for brunch, I had the absolute best pancakes of my entire life. They had clotted cream and berries on top, along with maple syrup. My mouth is watering right now just thinking about how great they were!
After brunch, we went to Westminster where we rode the London Eye (or the wheel as the Londoners call it)! I have been waiting to do that since I heard about it! We were so lucky to have another beautiful day because the views were amazing. You can see all of London and so many landmarks from there! I had never seen the eye in motion before, so i was surprised by how slow it went around. It's nice though because you have plenty of time to take pictures and get excellent views and whatnot. Each car holds around 15-20 people so everyone is shifting trying to see everything. It was great!
once again, really curious as to why this wouldn't rotate!
waiting in line for the eye, fast pass was TOTALLY worth it.
On a slightly sadder note, that day, my dad told me that we're probably going to have to put my dog, Hudson, down. To anyone that knows me or my family, they will know that Hudson is not just a dog, but literally a member of my family. He is probably the most loved and spoiled and stubborn dog I know. It was absolutely heartbreaking. My dad called today and told me that he passed away this morning, so at least I know he's not suffering anymore. I love my Huds and I don't think that I'll ever stop missing him, but this was a rough one.
I had to put that part in there so you could understand the significance of this next part. After the eye, we crossed over the bridge to see Westminster Abbey. Unfortunately, the sightseeing hours were over, but we were just in time for the Choral Evensong. We went in, took a seat and listened to the choir sing for about an hour. it was incredibly relaxing and I definitely meditated and it calmed me down so I was able to enjoy the rest of the day without too much sadness. It was truly a beautiful service.
We then took a cab over to Gordon's Wine Bar which is without a doubt, one of the coolest places I've been to in London. When you walk in, it definitely has the pub atmosphere, but then you go down the steps into this really small and dimly lit place where there's a cheese and olive bar. When you go around the corner, there's a bar where people are crowding around a bar ordering wine. Then you go around to the back where there is literally a CAVE. I had to duck down to walk through it. We kept trying to find seats, but there were just so many people. Finally a really nice Australian guy gave up his seat for Aunt Hannah and we found a few stools and we sat there, had a few glasses of wine and chatted it up with him and his Russian girlfriend. They were awesome. i also tried Brie cheese for the first time as well as some other cheese that was similar to bleu cheese but I did not dig it. (I know you are all incredibly impressed with my adventurousness).
We went back to the hotel and changed quickly and got ready for my surprise. After a decently quick cab ride, we got out and walked into a pub where we had a few drinks. After that, my dad led me outside backwards and walked me the couple hundred feet until they turned me around and I saw the theater for Wicked! I was incredibly shocked and couldn't even handle my excitement. Wicked is my absolute all time favorite show and I had been wanting to see it again forever! I was so excited Aunt Tiny had the idea to get tickets! As if that wasn't exciting enough, we then go to our seats and we are in the FOURTH ROW, CENTER. The show was incredible. I sang along with every song and probably cried about 4 times. It was FANTASTIC.
Since we hadn't had time to eat dinner before the show, my dad took us to Chinatown afterwards where we stuffed our faces with duck, beef, chicken, rice, ribs, noodles, broccoli, etc at the Golden Dragon. It was absolutely delicious.. and yes I tried the duck, and yes I loved it!
After dinner, we went back to the hotel for a nightcap before we headed to bed. I stayed over at the hotel and got to sleep in my dad's ridiculously large room in his insanely large king size bed! It was one of the best night's of sleep I have had since I got here. It was one of the most comfortable beds in the world. It was awesome.
We got up around 8:30 the next morning and went downstairs to enjoy a hotel breakfast. It was included in the room's bill so I decided to get some french toast. It was so delicious! There were so many options and everything tasted so good.
Aunt Tiny and Aunt Hannah wanted to get some souvenirs before they left, so we went to Oxford Street so they could see the huge Primark and pick up a few things in some of the touristy shops. My dad bought me the mind the gap tshirt I've been wanting as well as a Chelsea football club jersey!
They took me back to my flat so I could show them around Fulham. The day was kind of yucky, but they still thought the are was great! They only stayed briefly before heading to the airport, but still got to see where I live.
I had such an AMAZING time with them and it was so wonderful to have a little taste of home here in London. I know how lucky I am to be here, but it also puts it into perspective when you see people visiting and they're having a fabulous time and they don't wanna leave. I am so lucky that I get to be here all the time!
Yesterday afternoon, I went to the Liverpool Street station with Miguel and he took me to this really cool market! It was the Brick Lane Market and there were lots of vendors selling clothing and jewelry and antiques and tons of food! After having a drink and walking around, we got some Chinese food at one of the stands and sat on the curb and ate it. It was delicious and really fun! It was nice to do something that I probably wouldn't have found on my own and that wasn't super touristy. It was a little chilly, but still a lovely time. Then, naturally, we stopped in a few pubs and I showed all my American knowledge in "pub quiz" on the questions he couldn't answer. We won a pound, but then of course, played again and lost it.
I then came home, made some of that delicious mac n' cheese my mom sent over and skyped with my mom for a bit so I could see the Huds and have her give him tons of kisses for me. Luckily we had the chance to do it last night, since he passed away this morning.
All in all, it was a pretty emotional weekend, but one of the best I have had since I got here. I saw so many things and awesome places. It was fantastic. I miss you all so much and am sending a whole lot of love from this side of the pond.
Xx
Paige
rest in peace, hudsie <3
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