Marcella's Blog

Yes, it was one of the fastest tips on record, but we saw so much and our days were so packed it felt like it was more then just 4 days! After our bad sleeping experience the night before and our long day we decided to take melatonin to help us sleep and ignore the random roomie who was still up. (who would have thought that I would have been the drug supplier! haha ) We packed up and organized so we would be ready in the morning for our tube trip to Heathrow. We were up around 7, slightly refreshed and left the hostel by 8 to catch the tube at St Paul's. We were walking against people traffic since it was rush hour leaving the station, but it never occurred to us that we were the only ones walking down stairs! We got to the bottom and the guard told us that St Paul's was exit only during rush hour! Ah we had not planned for this! So we had to exit and take us and our luggage a few blocks east to get on at Bank street to then head back west over to the airport. We sat on the tu...

I kept a journal, as I do on all my trips, and decided to transcribe it on the blog now that I am some, so I have an online record that is easily shareable when talking about my trip with others. Monday in London was probably the longest day ever! We jammed in so many activities, but we are all so happy we did even though our feet could have fallen off. We woke up exhausted, since hostels are not the best place to sleep especially with the St Paul's bell ringing and a roommate who was not ready to sleep when we were. All that aside, we couldn't be slowed down due to our crazy schedule! We were up and out around 830 and set out on our plan of seeing: St Paul's Westminster Tower of London Royal Observatory - Prime Meridian Harrods Kensington Marble Arch Abby Road (aggressive, we know!) We walked over to St Paul's since that is the closest to our hostel and it was open the earliest. It was definitely my favorite cathedral and the scenes were breathtaking on the rotunda! L...

Sunday morning was a bit rough waking up after a time change, drinks and jet lag...but we made it out of the house by 915 to get on the train into London. The people watching in other countries is fantastic and here it did not disappoint! On our walk to the train station, we passed an old Abbey where King Henry VIII had monks killed when he pulled away from the catholic church since he wanted a divorce. |The abbey was then left to rot and the remains are still there. It was a cool tale to hear along our walk. We rode like cattle in the train to London, it is the most popular train route and once arrived headed out of Paddington station to find our hostel in St Paul's area. |We dropped off our stuff and headed out to walk down the embankment towards the London Eye. |We booked tickets ahead of time to avoid lines so we took in some sights along the way. |we saw somerset house, London eye and big Ben from afar, walked up to Parliament and around to Westminster (we will go in tomorrow ...

(typed up from my journal) Saturday March 24th, 8:15am London: As I stand in line to enter the the country, I figured I would start my journal. The first impressions of this island are clean and minimal, yet effective. The bathroom was spotless in the airport and the directions to customs were simple and clear. I changed and washed my face and chugged a 5 hour energy to get my day started. Tammy, Sherry and Michael are picking me up and heading to Windsor castle. The flight over was delayed about 40 minutes but that was the only hiccup. It was nice to fly economy plus for this flight because I had about 2 feet of leg room and unlimited beverages. I sat next to a London local but he didn't want to chat - fair enough. I cozied up with my book (Bill Bryson, Notes from a small Island) that James gave me to read prior to coming to get an understanding of the country (better late than never!) 9am: Michael, Tammy and Sherry cant o pick me up at the airport. It worked out great phone less....