Hello London

Trip Start Jun 24, 2008

Trip End Aug 15, 2008

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Where I stayed

Astor Museum Inn London

(London hotels)

Flag of United Kingdom London, England, United Kingdom
Tuesday, July 8, 2008

So we got to London around 11:30 on Monday...hustle and bustle everywhere!! (very much like Chicago in terms of that). We asked one of the station workers how to get to Bloomsbury (the neighborhood where our hostel was located) and after he looked at a map he said in a high pitched voice, "BLOOMsbury, you say?!" I felt so bad but I literally burst out laughing because it felt like something out of a comedy the way he said it and plus he kinda looked like a cartoon character. But he told us how to get there and we soon found our way. Well while looking for our street we walked by a Burger King and this old Scottish looking man looked at me and went "Weeeeeeeeeh" and his eyes got all watery and he had a coffee and a cigarette. It was disturbing and then we could not stop laughing!! Then he did it to some other woman.

We then found the Astor Museum Inn. We left our luggage there and went to wander since it was still too early for check in

Buckingham Palace

. We went to find Fish and Chips of course and found this place that was famous for them (8 pounds). Delicious! We ended up sitting with two older ladies because there was no room but they were delightful.

We went back to the hostel and found out we could only pay in cash because the machine broke. So we then were off to find a bank. So we moved in and this is a seriously awesome hostel! The rooms look like a museum because it is so open and tall. And plus it is located across the street from the British Museum. But I really liked it. 12 people in our room...typical. But it was really nice. STAY AT THIS HOSTEL!

So after we settled in, we just chilled out and played Scrabble in the common room because the weather got really rainy. Talked to a few people that came in and out and watched willy wonka afterwards. It would rain, downpour, and then the sun would come out...all like that in cycles for about 3 hours.

At night we went to Pizza Express, which we read was a good pizza chain in London...and plus it was one of the cheaper things. Pizza was ok and the service was terrible! So then we found this awesome pub and got some English beers there and talked

Entrance to Buckingham Palace

. I am officially in love with English beer...especially London Pride. Good stuff!

So we got back to the hostel and played Scrabble with 5 of the hostel workers who are just a bunch of guys and gals and there was also a traveller from Cali. So we played international scrabble since we had representatives of the USA, South Africa, and France...and my Polish language. It was really fun!

Then today I woke up early because the girl in my bunk under me woke up extremely early and was really loud. At 9:45 we left to go to Hyde Park to meet for a free tour (they work off tips). We met a guy from the states so we talked for a bit. Anyway, the tour was really good. We saw Buckingham Palace and the queen drove by us. We saw Westminster Abbey, Parliament, Big Ben, some Churchill stuff, etc.

London is a very pretty city. But I think I would like it more if the weather was better. After the tour we went to Tesco to some lunch. I got pasta and Jeff got a sandwich. We also split some chips and hummus...and I also bought Mars bars because I haven't had those in soooo long! It was all ok...you can't expect much from Tesco food.

Back at the hostel we played Scrabble and then chilled with some roomies. Went to Sansbury to get dinner: yogurt, OJ, and a salad. Then played cards and off to bed. btw all our roomies are always sound asleep when we come in and so i slept in my clothes because i didnt want to be too loud or turn on the lights haha