Wandering and Discovering

There is a quote that I really like about traveling by G.K. Chesterton, "The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see." I didn't come to London to see the 5 top sites that people come to see. I came to experience life as Brit! Can I tell you when you come upon those magnificent sites on accident, they are even more exciting than having them in your planned agenda!!

Saturday, September 19th I set out to explore what was around me. I wanted to know what was close by and get a feeling of the streets. 

I started out by heading over to my campus. It only took about 3 minutes to get there! That is going to be so nice :) I ran into my first telephone booth..so those of you who asked for pictures of that..here you are. The school was fascinating to me; I don't think I would have known it was a school. It looked like the other streets I was wandering, except there were less shops. Since it was Saturday, most of the buildings were closed, and since I don't have my student ID card yet, I couldn't explore those much yet.

At the end of the street there you can see the
Student Union (SU) Shop

This is the LSE Library

As I continued wandering the streets, all of a sudden I was seeing signs that said "Very Private" and there was a large beautiful building that was gated off. I looked for a sign. After about a half a block, I realized I was off of campus and had found the Royal Courts of Justice. I have no idea what happens there but it was "very private" and very beautiful.

































Since most of campus was closed, I just kept walking on. I would be spending a great deal of time there anyway, I figured I'll come back on Monday and get to know my way around. As for the rest of the city, I was glad to find out there are these awesome maps everywhere. That proved helpful!!

I decided to head back over toward Covent Garden for lunch. There are just so many people in the city of London! People from everywhere, all experiencing different things! It is just amazing.

 Once I was in Covent Garden Market, there was...a Market! This is called the Apple Market. I asked one of the vendor's how often they are there. She said they are their Monday-Saturday but not all of the vendors are there everyday. This side of the market is more of the arts and handmade stuff. I loved some of the artwork..I may have to get a little bit of artwork here. Then on the other side there is the Jubilee Market. That has other stuff that isn't necessarily handmade-there were purses and t-shirts and nick-nack things. All of it really cool...but there was SOOO much. I got a bit overwhelmed. I'll have to go check out the Jubilee Market another day.

 Then I heard some live music and went to see what it was...this happens all over! There are tons of people on every corner or by restaurants playing for the crowds. This group was awesome!! I decided I wanted to go eat lunch near where they were playing. I went to look at the menu and see if it was way out of my price range..it wasn't if I got a sandwich. They even had a seat for one outside. I got seated and ordered at Davy's.

Here's some video of the live music I got with lunch. I never got their name...which was sad!

After I finished my lunch and the Quintet stopped playing, I began making my way further west and south. I found St. Paul's Church, tons of shops, this awesome intersection..I don't even know how many streets were intersecting but it was cool! I then found a gelato shop. Of course I stopped!! I got some mango and lemon gelato and continued walking.

St. Paul's Church for the Actors

My mango and lemon gelato

This amazing intersection...

 I looked down a few roads not sure which way I wanted to go. Then I saw this view:

 I decided I wanted to go down this street. I wasn't sure what that building was at the end of the street but it intrigued me and so I wanted to find out. There were multiple theaters on this street and tons of food places. It was a pretty fun street to walk down as I ate my gelato. I made it to the end of the street and there were tons of people. There were a bunch of steps at the bottom of that tall building and many people sitting on them. I went up the stairs and found that this building was a church: St. Martin's.

I turned around to look across the street...and there was Trafalgar Square!!! I didn't recognize it at first because there were sooooo many people and there were tents set up. I double checked to make sure that it was actually Trafalgar Square. And it was. I left the church and crossed the street. There was a huge Japanese Matsuri tournament going on. I could barely walk around. I decided that I'd come back to Trafalgar Square when a tournament wasn't going on right in the center of the square. I started walking over to one side when I looked across and saw the London Eye. I decided to walk that direction.

After walking a few blocks, I came to this awesome bridge! Across the bridge was the London Eye. What an awesome (in every sense of the word) vision. I didn't cross the bridge yet. I will do that a different day.

I walked back off the bridge and followed the Thames river further south/west. I walked through a couple small parks and saw some awesome buildings. One of the buildings I found was the Ministry of Defence. The building itself wasn't really that cool but the name of it was...Some streets were super busy while others had only one or two others walking with me.

I turned a busy street corner and there was Big Ben! Right in front of me. It was a majestic site. I couldn't believe where I was or what I was experiencing. I looked around and saw what other people where talking about and saw the expressions on their faces. We were all thinking the same thing.

Big Ben with the London Eye. This is one of my favorite
pictures that I have taken so far.

Like I talked about right at the beginning, it is so much more exciting to find these things on accident or when you are just wandering. I wasn't planning on going to see the London Eye, Trafalgar Square and/or Big Ben. But I saw all of them by discovery. I know I will be planning to see things throughout my journey here but I will also be discovering life day by day.  I know some of those days are going to be harder than others-I'm not here on vacation-but I know that I have the support of my friends and family back home and I hope to be meeting new people here quite soon.

Speaking of that...I am going to a Ball next week 29/9!! I should meet some people there. The ball is Cirque du Soiree with attire being formal circus chic. If anyone knows how to dress formal circus chic, send me a message :)

Journey To London

Well Lads and Ladies,

I have made it to London!! I am beginning a new chapter in my life living amongst the Brits...but let me take you through the journey I "enjoyed" to get here today first. This post is a little long...just FYI :)

5:00am 9/17 Utah Time: Wake up with my family. We picked up breakfast and drove to the SLC Airport. *There were a few issues picking up breakfast, with my car, and checking in my luggage where we ended up running a bit late...but we made it. We said our goodbyes, cried a little, and parted ways.

SLC Airport-there was a long line for security-
 I was worried about getting to my flight!

7:55am: I made it to my gate where they were just getting ready to board. My ticket was lacking a seat #, so I had to go check with the agent. I got a seat and a new ticket. I wasn't boarding until group 3, so I ran to the bathroom. You will notice there is theme of getting to the gate just as they are boarding for the next 24 hours! It makes for an exciting trip.

Landing in Chicago

 8:37am: My flight is supposed to be leaving but there are some issues. I start to stress a little because until I get to Boston, I cannot be late at all-I already have pretty short layovers. I just pray to be calm and  I start to read. We didn't leave until just after 9am. I told myself not to worry and that everything was going to workout even though I wasn't sure if I believed it at all! The pilot ended up "taking a short cut" which I didn't know was possible in the air, and we made it to Chicago, only being about 5-10minutes late instead of a half an hour.

12:10pm Chicago Time/11am Utah Time: I was trying to get off the plane still. My ticket for the connecting flight in Chicago did not have a gate listed. I knew I needed to get my stuff off ASAP, find the gate, get to the gate and do all of that in about 15 minutes. I was actually staying pretty calm at this point but if I didn't get off the plane quickly, that might change. I was off within about 5 minutes. I found that my gate was in the same terminal, thankfully, but it was at the opposite side. If you haven't been, the Chicago airport is huge! I started speed walking! I made it there just after 12:25. They were boarding the first few groups. I already had a seat so I, again, ran to the bathroom which was nearby. I tried to cool myself off and filled my water bottle. By the time I got back I had about 5 minutes before my group actually boarded. It was a bigger plane and I was one of the last to get on.

1pm Chicago Time: We were supposed to be leaving but again we were delayed slightly. This was the connection that for sure could not be late!! You will see why shortly. We ended up leaving close to 1:20pm and I was told that the flight would be 2 hours and 20 minutes long. I said another prayer and asked that there was a miracle that we could get to the gate early because I needed more time in Boston. And guess what?! We did! We left 20 minutes late yet arrived 10 minutes early. Truly a miracle.

This was the name of my plane from Boston
to Iceland. Pretty cool!!

5:30pm Boston Time/3:30pm Utah Time: I have been traveling for 10 hours at this point. I hadn't slept hardly at all and I was very tired!! When we landed in Boston, I had to go get my checked luggage, get to Terminal E, recheck my luggage, go through security, and get to my gate within under an hour. It took quite a while for our luggage to come. So I was already losing time standing there, doing nothing. It finally came and I started following signs for terminal E. Little did I realize that this airport is massive!!

I was walking pretty quickly but I was still in terminal B. After walking about a 1/2 mile (I promise, I'm NOT exaggerating) I finally saw signs that said for terminal C/D turn this way, terminal E, the other way. I figured it couldn't be too much further!! I turned the corner and saw a sign that said "Terminal E .5 miles --> way". Another half mile!! I didn't think I could do it. My bag was killing my shoulder. Each of my suitcases weighed about 45 pounds. I was speed walking with over 100 lbs. I was tired. I stopped to change shoulders that my bag was on. Then around the corner came a worker in business attire. He asked if I was ok-I think he could tell I was stressed and had too much to carry on my own. I told him I was fine but my shoulder was hurting. He asked where I was going, when I told him terminal E, he laughed. He asked how long I had to get there, I told him I had 15 minutes left to check in. He asked if I could walk super fast and he took my big suitcase for me. I was so grateful. As we took each turn, I was so thankful he was there because I would have been so lost. I think I would have doubted that I was going the correct way. Also with him leading, he helped me keep up the speed I needed. There is NO way I would have gone that fast on my own and/or with both of my bags. By the time we got to Terminal E, I was dripping sweat and couldn't breath but I thanked Bill over and over again. I told him that I prayed that something would happen to help me make it on time and he was the answer to my prayer. I honestly couldn't have done it without him.

This was me after running to Terminal E

I got checked in, through security, and found my way to my gate...you guessed it!...Just as they were boarding. Except this was a bit more crazy, I was one of the very  last to the plane. It was like the movies when people are running to the gate-that was me.

I felt so gross since I was sweating. I went to the bathroom and attempted to clean up a bit..brushed my teeth, put on deodorant, sprayed a little perfume. I felt a little better but I couldn't wait to get to my flat to shower. But I was only about 1/2 way! I get into my seat and there are three guys behind me. They were from New York. About 80% of their sentences had cuss words-and about 80% of their cuss words were the F-word. I was trying to be patient but I was tired and I really didn't want to listen to that. Then I hear that they all have alcohol with them and they can't wait to get it opened. The captain comes on and says we are delayed just a few minutes but once we are in the air, the flight will be 5 hours and 55 minutes. It was my longest flight of the day and I did not want to listen to these obnoxious boys all evening. I looked at the ladies I was sitting next to and one of them seemed to be on the same page as me. I gave it a few minutes...I had boarded at 6:45pm and it was about 7:10pm, I turn around and said to one of the boys, "Can I ask you a favor?", he instantly said, "you want us to stop swearing?" I was surprised and said, "Yes, please." He gave me a kind of sour look but said, "Sure, sorry about that." I thought that went well. I was shaking a little after, I'm not sure why. Then I hear the guy right behind me say, "Geeze, we've been on the plane for 2 minutes and people are already telling us to stop swearing?!?" I got so mad! First, it had been a solid 25 minutes before I said anything and second, I was super polite about it. If these boys new that is what I was going to ask then they clearly know they are being disrespectful to those around them. I used all my strength to not turn back around. But I was still feeling super hurt. I knew I had done the right thing but I had a hard day and still had many hours ahead of me. I just broke down and started crying. I didn't want the guys to see me though, so I tried to be discreet. I turned on music and put in my earbuds. I ended up just listening to stuff on my phone for the entire plane ride-just to avoid hearing the voices of those guys.

Leaving Boston-super pretty! I want to come
back to Boston.

I did sit next to a nice French lady though. We didn't talk too much although, I did help her understand when some of the Icelandic women were talking.

4:15am 9/18 Iceland Time/10:15pm 9/17 Utah Time: We landed in Iceland! It was the middle of the night though, so we couldn't really see anything in the dark. I got to FaceTime Tyler while I was waiting for my last connecting flight.

This was the airplane I rode to came in to Iceland

6:00am 9/18 Iceland Time: We boarded a bus and they drove us out to the plane. The Keflavik airport was pretty small...but there were some planes that didn't board right at the airport terminals. We were just out in the roadways more. We boarded and since I hadn't slept in 19 hours at this point, I just crashed. I slept most of the plane ride. There were a few cool pics I took as we got up over the clouds.

This is the only view I saw of Iceland.
It was as we were taking off to head to London.
You can see the coastline there on the edge.

This was as we were coming up through the clouds.
You can see a slight sunrise and then the rest are clouds-
above and below. So cool!

I just think these clouds are awesome!!!

Landing in London

10:30am 9/18 London Time/3:30am Utah Time: I landed in the London, Gatwick airport! I was so happy to be landed but I still have to get to my flat...I rode the Gatwick Express (a train) to the London Victoria area. This station was huge! I finally found my way to the tube station (underground railways/subway) there and asked for the best way to get to Drury Lane-which is essentially Covent Garden. I got an Oyster Card (the card you load money on to pay for public transportation for the next week, while I wait for my student card to arrive. Riding the tube was fine..I had to change stations once (From the Victoria Line to the Piccadilly Line). That was a bit of a walk and there were many stairs. There were two nice people who helped me up/down the stairs when they saw me. One time I turned the corner and saw more stairs and I just stopped. I stared at them and just waited. I was hoping they'd go away or a lift ("elevator") would appear. It didn't however a nice lady took my small suitcase up the stairs for me.

The Gatwick Express Train

Riding home on the Gatwick Express

The death of me....so many stairs with my luggage!

I made it to Covent Garden where it was pouring rain. My umbrella was deep in my bag but after thinking about it, I couldn't have actually carried it anyway. I asked the guy as I left the tube station which way to Drury lane and he pointed. I knew it was about 3 blocks (.25 miles). I headed where he told me....but I couldn't find it. I stopped to wipe the rain from my glasses and ring my hair out a bit when a guy told me of an indoor walkway to go stand in to dry off and wait for the rain to let up a bit.  I thanked him and asked if he knew where Drury Lane was-he didn't know exactly but thought it was the other way. I found the covered walk way and pulled out a map. None of them were super helpful. I finally found a picture I took on my phone of a map and that was the helpful one! YAY!! I was going the wrong direction. I couldn't see the rain letting up too much anytime soon. So I ventured out again. I found my street and then my building much easier this time.

My first street view of London. This
is just a few blocks away from my flat. This is in
Covent Garden.

It was pouring rain and I was soaked! I had to seek
refuge in an covered walkway for a few minutes.

After much traveling and searching....
I found my street! Drury Lane!

Riding the lift up to my flat.

My flat...can't get much smaller than this!

My building

2:00pm: After 26 hours of travel..I'm at my flat! Yay!! I was soaked. So  I found what I needed from my bags and showered and got clean. I decided I needed to eat, since I hadn't had anything except some nuts and a few granola bars since I left Logan. I went to a pub down the street called The Sun Tavern and ordered my first meal of Fish and Chips. I've told my mom that I'll find the best fish n' chips for her..so I now begin my quest. I would give the Sun Tavern a 7. Nothing special about them but they were still good.

The Sun Tavern

My first British Meal: Fish 'n Chips
Rating: 7

I walked back to Covent Garden shopping area. They have a massive apple store, tons of shops and restaurants, and then just cool buildings. There is a cathedral right in the middle. There were a bunch of people gathered in the square where a guy was doing some magic show. Then I went and found a grocery store, Tesco, to get a few things to tie me over for tomorrow and Sunday. I got some chocolate croissants and ate one tonight, delicious!! Now I can't wait for breakfast...haha I also got some Mediterranean bread to try.

The rest of the evening I've been attempting to move in, trying not to sleep too much, yet still relax. I am so excited to be here! I can already tell it is going to be a very exciting place to live. I can't wait to explore more of the city and share that with you. If anyone has specific topics they want to hear about send me an email or comment on this post and I will make sure to address what you want to know about in one of my blog posts.

Apple Store in Covent Garden

Covent Garden Market Square

Crowd Gathers in Covent Garden Square to watch magician/performer

I got a welcome box at my flat!
A few food items, some coupons and discounts for entertainment,
a free SIM card, a golden ticket (too see if I win something),
and some other simple housing things.

Tesco Baked Goods...yummy chocolate
croissants!

Until next time,
Cheerio