Morning
This morning Peter took us to one of London's landmark stores: Harrods Department Store. The girls REALLY wanted to do some shopping, and the boys were great sports about it; after all - Harrods is world famous!
Our hotel is only 10-15 minutes from a major shopping sector (which includes Armani, Top Shop, and Harrods (among many others). We spent some time walking by all the stores' window displays; at one point we past a realtor's office with many flats listings posted on the windows. I noticed most listings included the phrase 99 year lease, which Peter promptly explained. Since everything is owned by the Queen, citizens hold a lease on their homes for a certain number of years - meaning property cannot be passed down through he generations because the lease will expire at some point. Wow; who knew?
Our hotel is only 10-15 minutes from a major shopping sector (which includes Armani, Top Shop, and Harrods (among many others). We spent some time walking by all the stores' window displays; at one point we past a realtor's office with many flats listings posted on the windows. I noticed most listings included the phrase 99 year lease, which Peter promptly explained. Since everything is owned by the Queen, citizens hold a lease on their homes for a certain number of years - meaning property cannot be passed down through he generations because the lease will expire at some point. Wow; who knew?
Back to shopping...as we wait patiently for Harrods to open at 10 am. Sadly, because we had to be back at the hotel by 10:30 for our bus, we only had about 15 minutes to peruse Harrods. We looked around as we made our way to the Souvenir gift shop on the lowest level. Everyone, except Gunnar, bought something, and then we hustled back to the hotel where the bus was waiting.
Now on to The Globe Theater! I must admit that I was most looking forward to this part of the trip. This trip marks my third time in London and it will be the first time for me to be inside the Globe! On my first trip as a high school student, we could not fit it into the schedule. On my second trip college student, I dragged a few fellow travelers with me only to be turned away since they were rehearsing for a performance. But I told myself this is the year. The third time is the charm, right?
WRONG! Now let me be clear, I sat inside the Globe Theater...for about 10 minutes. We were not allowed to take pictures or video because several actors were on stage rehearsing for the evening's performance. I must admit that it was neat to watch them on the stage and hear how well the sound traveled, but serious, I can't take pictures? I have traveled how many thousands of miles and can't take pictures! When the actors were done, the guide took us higher seating level reserved for the wealthy citizens instead of down on the pit floor where groundlings stood which is what I wanted. Our guide said a few more things and then whisked us out the doors. Luckily, Elizabeth took a picture from our seats before we were rushed off. Our super speedy guide is in the right side of the picture, and there are people down in the pit where I wish we could have gone. Oh well...maybe next time...I say to myself again. :(
Now on to The Globe Theater! I must admit that I was most looking forward to this part of the trip. This trip marks my third time in London and it will be the first time for me to be inside the Globe! On my first trip as a high school student, we could not fit it into the schedule. On my second trip college student, I dragged a few fellow travelers with me only to be turned away since they were rehearsing for a performance. But I told myself this is the year. The third time is the charm, right?
WRONG! Now let me be clear, I sat inside the Globe Theater...for about 10 minutes. We were not allowed to take pictures or video because several actors were on stage rehearsing for the evening's performance. I must admit that it was neat to watch them on the stage and hear how well the sound traveled, but serious, I can't take pictures? I have traveled how many thousands of miles and can't take pictures! When the actors were done, the guide took us higher seating level reserved for the wealthy citizens instead of down on the pit floor where groundlings stood which is what I wanted. Our guide said a few more things and then whisked us out the doors. Luckily, Elizabeth took a picture from our seats before we were rushed off. Our super speedy guide is in the right side of the picture, and there are people down in the pit where I wish we could have gone. Oh well...maybe next time...I say to myself again. :(
After our rapid-fire tour, we moved to another building for a theater workshop where we played a few acting games with a bit of competition. We also read / acted out some scenes from Romeo and Juliet. I was paired with Peter, and I found that to be distinctly unfair since Peter was trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and has worked as an actor. I will say that think I held my own (or Peter was a gracious gentleman and let me feel like I won some of the competitive games).
Afternoon
Next we traveled 25 miles from London to Windsor Castle, an official residence of the Queen where she usually spends her weekends. This working castle was very interesting; included in our tour was entrance to the State Apartments with magnificent works of arts on every inch of every wall, the Drawing Gallery, Queen Mary's Doll's House, and the grand St. George's Hall where the Queen holds the State Banquet and uses a table for 160 people. Shields of noblemen covered the ceiling. It was truly beautiful.
Below are two pictures of the famous and recognizable Round Tower. I took the first picture on the left when we arrived; I took the second picture on the left when I was leaving. Notice the different flags! The first picture (although it is blurry here) is the British Union Jack flag. The picture which is a little clearer is the Queen's flag.
That's right...at some point during out tour, the QUEEN ARRIVED AT WINDSOR CASTLE!! We were in the vicinity of the Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II. Too bad I did not notice this until I was looking through my pictures at home!!
Below are two pictures of the famous and recognizable Round Tower. I took the first picture on the left when we arrived; I took the second picture on the left when I was leaving. Notice the different flags! The first picture (although it is blurry here) is the British Union Jack flag. The picture which is a little clearer is the Queen's flag.
That's right...at some point during out tour, the QUEEN ARRIVED AT WINDSOR CASTLE!! We were in the vicinity of the Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II. Too bad I did not notice this until I was looking through my pictures at home!!
Evening
Dinner was at a great local restaurant not far from our hotel. I love eating the local cuisine. Although the food might not be very different from the US, the experience is. Plus, I enjoy listening to Peter talk about any number of things while we dine. The man is a never ending fountain of knowledge.
After dinner, we took the Tube to the iconic London Eye! We exited the Tube across the street from another London icon - Big Ben (which is the name of the bells in the clock tower, not the name of the clock tower itself - man did I feel silly about that one). We of course stopped for some pictures...and a few selfies!
The London Eye was a great experience that gave us a bird's eye view of the city skyline. We took many pictures and enjoyed watching the evening sky slowly get darker and change colors. I took another selfie with the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben in the background, and of course, had a Tuscola group picture taken. |
The evening closed off with a short stop at a festival near the Eye, and a Tube ride home. It was a great day with visits to many of London's Landmarks.