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So yesterday Julia and I took the tube from Tower Hill (where we've finally found the quickest way into the station, versus the first few days we crossed the street several times which is actually unnecssary because of a closer entrance) to Embankment and then switched to the Northern line and took it to Waterloo station. The trip was very easy. Luckily we bought tickets in advance online because the eye was PACKED. I mean, we went on a sunny Sunday so I should have expected it. But even though we already bought tickets, we probably stood in line for a good 45 minutes. My legs got very tired. Julia, being the positive person that she is, kept saying that it's just like as if we were at Disney World, so we just have to put up with the crowds and the waits and enjoy the experience. For anyone else, I'd recommend going on a week day.
I definitely could see why they said to come on a sunny day, though! The views were amazing! You can see so far. I took a video which I will try to post back home when my internet connection is better. Basically, you are in a big glass time-capsule-looking room with ~24 other people. There's a bench in the middle, but with so many people it's almost impossible to sit down and still see. The aerial pictures you can take are wonderful, and you can see the river Thames (pronounced tems) very well because you're just circling above it. We had the misfortune of having someone in our car with BO, but it wasn't a trip spoiler or anything. Overall, it was really cool and I have several pictures. Here's several for you to enjoy:
After the eye, we took the Northern line up to Camdon Street, where we had read about the Camdon Lock market that goes on every weekday. I'd never been to a market before, which became obvious when I thought that the stores right outside of the tube station were the market. Julia knew better, though. She asked a man at ALDO (I had to stop in because they were having a sale...but it was packed) where the market was. When we walked there, I definitely realized why she wanted to take me to one. It was REALLY cool! It's located right along a canal, and there are all these jewelry, scarfs, crafts, and other art stands to enjoy. There's fun ethnic restaurants, too. I didn't buy anything because of how much money everything was, but I'd love to go back when I have more money to spend (it wasn't EXPENSIVE per say, but I'd rather save up for traveling). Overall, it was great to experience a European market like that.
*my comment: it was nothing like the markets in Nogales. The vendors put a lot less pressure on you, and it's very laid back and cultural.
After leaving the market, which closed at 6, I went to a London shop and bought a really cool sweatshirt I saw from the sidewalk on my walk through town from the tube stop to Camdon Lock. In fact, it was so cool that Julia decided she wanted to buy the same one. Then she also bought a similar one for Alexa since we knew she'd be jealous. So now we get to be the funny matching family.
***I will edit more later. It's time to go to the Tower of London!***
-updated-
After we went to Camdon Lock, we took the tube from Camdon to Old Street, which we thought was the closest stop to City University - where I would take classes when I study abroad next spring. I now know that I would advise anyone traveling to not assume that you will find something if it is not on your map. City University was just off the map on each map that we were carrying and every map in the tube stations. Luckily, a woman directed us to go back to the previous tube stop, Angel, which was slightly closer to City. However, when we got off at Angel we still couldn't find it. Where it said City was on my map didn't even exist. So we went to get Thai food at a restaurant we found.
While eating some yummy Thai food, we decided to ask the couple sitting two tables away from us if they knew how to get to City. The man smiled and said that he used to work there for 10 years. Lucky us! They literally were the only other people in the restaurant other that a foreign couple. Fate was on our side. He directed us, and when we set out we actually found the campus! It's rather small, but pretty. The buildings are brick and Northampton square looks very old, in a good way. After we walked around the square where the campus is, we decided to head home because it was getting dark and we don't like to ride the tube at night.
Then, the next morning we woke up early enough to get to Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard! We got there about 45 minutes early and still couldn't see well. I'd recommend to anyone that they get there over an hour early and sit on a curb along the cobblestone street. Also, preferably get a curb closer to the palace unless you want the palace in the background of your pictures. But the closer you are to the palace the more things you're likely to see. Luckily, even though I couldn't see over the tall Asian-Americans in front of me, I was able to raise my arm up to take a clear video every time the soldiers marched by. One more thing you should remember, though: make sure you give yourself enough time to watch the whole ceremony. I had no idea the ceremony lasts an hour or more!! We had to leave half way through so I could make it to my lunch with Candace. Since we couldn't see well, we weren't totally bummed about leaving anyway.
We took the tube back to Tower Hill and walked back to the flat. I had pleanty of time to find Caffe Nero, where I was supposed to meet Candace. But, since Julia wanted to work, I decided to go find it about a half hour early just in case I couldn't. Of course, I found it right away so I ordered a mocha (which they covered in whipped cream...all of which I scraped off because it was taller than the amount of coffee they gave me. Tip to remember: if they ask if you want cream, it means WHIPPED cream and LOTS of it). Then, I sat in the window, people watched, and did the one thing I know you're not supposed to do in public- counted my money. Basically, I did that because 1.) I felt a little safer in the financial district that no one was really looking at me and everyone was just trying to get to their next meeting, 2.) I wanted to know how much money I had left to see if I needed to cash my last traveler's check at HSBC right next door, and 3.) I wanted to look at my coins cuz I had no idea what was what. It worked out, too, because I ended up being able to lighten my wallet by paying for my entire lunch in coins when Candace came.
Meeting with Candace was really cool. I got to hear all about where she had gone and what her life was like studying at City and working in her internship in The City (the financial district). Even though she probably thought I was asking way too many questions, she really helped me get a feel for what she was experiencing. I hope the rest of her time in London turns out as cool as what she's experienced so far!
One more quick thing I want to put out there before I take off- I haven't figured out whether I need to tip cab drivers or not in London. Greg told me no, and our cab driver from the airport said he didn't expect a tip, but I read in my travel book that they expect a 10% tip. That's definitely something I need to figure out.
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