Saturday was the first day that we were able to sleep in at all. It was nice, but I woke up startled at 11 am and decided that I felt bad sleeping in while in London. So after a late breakfast we went to the Tate Modern Art Museum on the Thames. Since it's a Bank Holiday Weekend, a lot of the tube lines were closed, so we spent 15 minutes trying to find an alternate route. Fortunately, even the London natives were looking tirelessly at the map also trying to find where they should go also. But we made it there, yes even Marylyn, and went to the most bizarre museum I have ever been to. There was this performing arts group tying themselves up as mummies while playing the strings instruments. And this was the least strange of the many things they did. I saw everything from Picasso, to Matisse, to Monet, and the rest just flew over my head (who gets their artwork put in a museum that just rips a canvas slightly?)
We didn't stay long because we were hungry so we "dined" at this nice cafe for over 2 hours. The food was so good and our waiter was from Oregon and apologized for not being British. I would totally go all the way back there just to have that hummus/pesto/spinach and artichoke dip plate. After a little browsing at a store, Julia and I went for a walk with some Strongbow (alcoholic cider) in Kensington Gardens. We took pictures of the Palace and tried to find the Peter Pan statue (I will continue this search soon). We came back and began or strange night. It consisted of mice (potentially), a possible burglar, a knife, ding dong ditch, and peeping tom. Let's just say it's a long story and not easy to type out.
This morning we woke up bright and early to our first rain since we first arrived (we've had amazingly perfect weather so far) and headed off to Bath and Stonehenge. I spent the entire 5 hour round trip bus ride reading and finishing Twilight AKA the best book ever and now I'm craving the next book in the series. Everyone else of course slept all of the bus rides. So we got to Bath and that was pretty neat. I was frustrated because whenever I wanted to take pictures of things, the bus was moving. Especially when I we drove past the Gay Street sign and the "Reed" restaurant. The architecture was a lot different than the London architecture, but just as breath-taking. This is the second most expensive place in England to live in, to London of course. I think I would have enjoyed the Roman baths more is there wasn't thousands of people there also making me claustrophobic. We tasted the water at the end and found it to be rather disgusting and incredibly warm. Then we split up for lunch and some of us went to this nice cafe and I had my first spot of English tea. Tea and cream isn't too bad!
Next was Stonehenge, and can I just say that it was probably one of the most anti-climatic things I have ever seen. Now I will admit that I was warned, but honestly, I didn't expected it to be right there on the side of the road like a "World's Largest Peanut" display. We were given an hour to do what could have been done in 15 minutes: take pictures of a bunch of rocks. Sorry history buffs, but that's how I felt.
We got home tonite, made dinner and just hung around the flat. Then, miraculously thanks to my dear friend Shannon in the States (my world traveling friend), we booked a trip to Paris next weekend for only a 47 pound busride (only $95 to get to Paris). I cannot tell you how unbelievably excited I am right now. Paris is a place I have dreamed about, along with of course London, since I was a little kid. I cannot wait!!!!!!!
Things I've learned:
1. Baked potatoes AKA Jacket Potatoes are VERY popular
2. Stonehenge isn't all it's cracked up to be
3. I'm always hungry here because the portions are tiny
4. Finding hotels is difficult
5. Pashminas are a necessity in London
Cheerio all! (especially Angie, sorry there are no embarrassing stories today!)
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