Shakespeare's Globe

We took a tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theater. It was a lame tour, really expensive and super short, but we got to see the inside of the famous theater. It was rebuilt because it was basically destroyed in the fire of London many years ago, but they built it exactly how it would have been built in the 1600s. They even used tools from the 1600s. It was pretty cool. The roof is the only roof in all of London that is thatched. They had to get special permission because of the laws against thatched roof tops.

Looks like Harry Potter huh?

This actually is not Kings Cross Station where Harry Potter leaves for Hogswarts, but this is the Nottinghill Gate tube station. I just thought it was such an awesome picture. We've been using the tube all the time, multiple times a day. It is so easy to use and extremely user friendly. There are literally maps everywhere. Thank goodness or we would be out in some unknown place. It's been fun riding all over the city and seeing all sorts of things that would be very expensive without the tube.

Buckingham Palace

This place is crazy touristy! We got there just as the changing of the guard was finishing and there were so many people watching, it was crazy. This is where the Queen of England lives, but she is on "holiday" out of the city for two months. She opens up part of her home for the public to view. It is quite an impressive building. It has probably 50 acres of fenced grounds behind it as well. It is right in the middle of London! Beautiful though. Quite an experience. We're just not used to this royalty stuff and it is amazing how dedicated these people are to their Queen.

Changing of the Gaurd

While in London yesterday, we watched the changing of the guard, before the fresh guards continue on to Buckingham Palace. There is a very flamboyant ceremony and then the guards getting off shift take their horses back to their stables and the fresh ones go on to guard the palace. It is amazing because the horses, with a rider/guard, literally stand for hours at the front of these gates. The horses just stand there, expected not to move and stand for thousands of tourists to take their pictures along side them. The sweet horses are amazingly mellow and the guards don't move. We spared the horses and didn't get our picture, grinning goofily (like every other tourist) next to them. It was a pretty awesome sight though.
Here is a digitally enhanced photo of the Mounted Guards exchanging post, routinely at 11:00AM

Mind the Gap!

Every stop on the subway you hear the same thing. "Mind the gap please, mind the gap!"
Luckily we haven't fallen into the gap between the train and platform yet and we were still alive once we reached Westminster station. Here we are in front of "Big Ben," and he's freakin' enormous.Big Ben is part of Parliament, where the prime minister works. It is unbelieveable how many people are out and about in the middle of the day. Add the traffic into the mix and during the week it seems as though it is busier than New York.

WE MADE IT! Safe and Sound.

We arrived in London early this morning after flying Air India and enjoying Indian plane food and lovely service. Because we had so much time until we were to be at the hostel, we decided to take an adventure and figure out the tube (subway). And it was super easy and saved us about ninety dollars we would have spent on a cab. You have no idea how proud we were of ourselves. So, this is the hostel we're staying in. Nice place, but literally two bunk beds in a closet. We took a nap( we felt like we were at summer camp, with the bunks and all), showered(felt like the dorms, had to wear shoes in the shower) and are now exploring Earl's Court, the part of town we are staying in. So far, it is great! It is an international part of town alive with food, internet cafes and lots and lots of people speaking different languages. So, all is well and we'll explore London tomorrow.

Does the layover ever end?

After taking a red-eye from Portland with screaming babies, no leg room and not a wink of sleep, we have been sitting in the New York JFK airport for nearly eight hours now. We still have four hours to go, so we've been chillin' in the international part of JFK. Talk about amazing people watching! We've been switching off sleeping on the bench and watching the stuff. While Dave was sleeping, I spent an hour and a half watching people from every culture and part of the world and listening to the many, many languages spoken in this portion of the airport. What an experience to be in our country and have so many cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds in one place. Fantastic! We're already having fun: eating fantastic airport food; sitting, sitting and sitting; and participating in a rousing game of dominoes. Despite the lack of sleep, we're ready to take on London.