Day Two
Trip Start
Jun 27, 2008
1
2
11
Trip End
Jul 11, 2008
London,
United Kingdom
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Now, here is further evidence that the concierge hates us. We asked him where we could pick up a cab to the tower of London and he told us that the cabs don't run on Sundays. Now, at the time I thought this was just a tiny bit suspicious, but we went outside and stood near the bus stop. Our best buddy, the concierge then came outside and told us that it's only a 15 or 20 minute walk; and just as we started walking, I saw a cab come around the corner. While hailing the cab, I debated whether to write the concierge off as a moron or to punch him because he was a evil. Sadly, before I could do anything, we got in and watched him scurry away looking as if he had been caught red handed.
This time, the cab was a normal black one, rather than that piece of crap we sat in yesterday. We chit-chatted with the cabbie for the duration of the ride and learned that cabs do run on Sundays. The whole trip took about 15 minutes and was probably 2 or 3 miles, which would have taken me at least 25 minutes just to run that far. Sure glad we didn't decide to walk that "15 or 20" minute walk.
The Tower of London is right by the shore of the Thames, so I was able to get my first glimpse of said river for this trip. It was pretty cool, though I seriously wouldn't want to swim in that water. We bought tickets for the Tower and after entering, then arguing over whether or not to get audio guides, we set off. I didn't want them, and we didn't get them ;). All in all, I'd say the Tower of London is a must see. Historically, it's interesting; and architecturally it's pretty sweet. It doesn't really have that castle-y feeling I would have liked, since with all the plaques and whatnot it feels more like a museum. This is common in European castles these days, so it isn't a turn-off or anything.
The Bloody Tower was not all it is cracked up to be. I mean, it was interesting but not all that exciting. I much preferred the White Tower; probably because I have a, what my friends call disturbing, affinity for weapons and things of that nature. The tower is full of weapons and armor. At each floor I thought that I had seen the whole thing; then I'd see a sign pointing up, saying that there was more upstairs. Of course, I had to see it all and it took me a while to actually get outside again. It was then that I saw the biggest crow or raven (I would have said it was a crow, but they have ravens there.) that I have ever seen. The thing was flippin' gigantic and it didn't run away when I sat near it. The best part was when it scared some lady who sat down and didn't realize it was there.
Of course, I went and saw the crown jewels; that's most of the point of going there. They were ridiculous; there are hats in there worth more than my house. It makes me feel poor = ( Jeff and I determined that the royal scepter and royal orb are actually the royal club and royal grenade. That sounds much more exciting; and what better way to show your power than bopping someone on the head and blowing something up?
Along the way we had to stop and get my mom snacks 2 or 3 times, not counting the lunch we had half way through. This was only over a couple hour period, but we had to stop her from eating some poor tourist. That would have been very bad, indeed. It could have started an international incident; and we really didn't want the headliners to be AMERICAN EATS BRITISH PERSON! The United States already has a bad enough foreign image as it is.
Once we exited the Tower of London, we walked along the Thames to the Tower Bridge. Of course, we absolutely had to walk over it; but that was okay because we needed to get across the river anyway. Only afterwards did I realize that we could have gone up and walked on the higher part. That mad me sad =( but I decided that I ought to leave stuff for my next visit... whenever that will be. At this point, my goal was to reach Hay's Warf to do some shopping, but after wandering aimlessly for 15 minutes we still hadn't found it. I determined that some small we saw area was it and I thought it sucked. I did, however see the HMS Belfast, which I wanted to go on but didn't get to because mom and Jeff didn't. It might be wise to tell you that I used to want to be in the military before I learned that you can't if you had asthma. I was very sad when I found that out.
Around 4:30 or so, we found a pub. By this time, my mom was hungry again so we ordered her a salad and got a set of fish and chips because that was the British thing to do. I was also very stoked that the drinking age is lower; and even though I thought the beer tasted like crap, I was happy to try it.
When we finished, we left and rounded the corner. BAM! Hay's Warf with all its little shops. -_- I was pissed, but at this point my feet hurt to much to shop, except for buying a sweet little wallet with Japanese characters on it. The old ones' feet were hurting to so we decided to head back to the flat. If they read this, I'm 99% sure my mom will slap me =)
One trip on the Northern Line and a minute's walk later we were in the elevator at our building. I then proceeded to learn something. There were two concierges. One was a dip, and the other slightly less of a dip. They look alike, so I hadn't realized it at first. At this point I was super tired, so I crashed around 7pm.
Later, my mom told me that she and Jeff had gone to the store and that there were tons of really gay people walking around. On the bright side, at least the worst that thing that could happen to you outside, at night would be some gay man verbally attacking you about your shoes being way to last season. So, it isn't dangerous!
Something I learned today: British people don't believe in air conditioner.
