Woke up early early early - 3:40 to be exact - friday morning to catch the 5:00 bus to Dublin Airport to get there by 6 for my 8:00 a.m. flight to london. three hours in travel for an hour flight... I just don't understand mass transit anymore.
Laurel was still at work when I got there, so I decided to walk around. She had given me a list of places I could go for free. So I headed off to Buckingham Palace from the train station that took me from the airport to the city. It was beautiful. The best part was I got there right for the changing of the guards. I got a place right in front of the big gates. A brass band played some classical songs and then played a 007 medley! Then the red coats formed a marching band square and marched out one side of the rotunda followed by a drum and flute corps that went around the other side. Then the guards marched out and new guards marched in. It was quite the scene.
Then I walked down the mall past St. Jame's park, which is this huge park by the palace. Ended up at Parliament/Big Ben, The London Eye (giant ferris wheel), and Westminster Abbey. It was beautiful. Couldn't have had a better day out. Then I went to Laurel's Flat. I got off the Tube stop ok, but got horribly lost. She lives in south Kingsington, which is probably the wealthiest part of the city. It's the area next to Hyde Park. She wasn't home yet so I hung out with her roommates who are amazing. When she did get home we stayed for a bit and then she showed me around. We went to the Victoria and Albert Museum (free and open till about 12:00am) and saw Harrods which is this crazy Dept. Store where you can buy everything... literally everything, for example and elephant if you so desire. The next day we slept in. Went to Camdon Lock Market which is a big hippie/punk market. SoHo, Liecster SQ (times square of London) The book store capital of London (no idea what the name is) China Town and then back to the parliament, the Buckingham, and the abbey because my Camera wasn't working the day before.
The big news though is that we went to Kings Cross Station and visited PLATFORM 9 3/4!!!!!!!! (Harry Potter Reference for those non nerds out there) They have it labeled as well as a luggage cart that is half going into the wall... needless to say a must do photo opp.
That night we were exhausted and I had to be up early for my flight back so we made a pizza and stayed it. Also ate Aero Chocolate - best chocolate in the world. It's full of holes in the middle which makes it look like a wafter, do not be fooled it creamy and melts in your mouth.
Today Ann wasn't home until late, and she locked a door we don't have a key for so we came back late. I went to Phoenix Park - the giant park in Dublin, with two friends and then wen out for one of their birthdays.
Got back home and there was a girl in the house! Who KNEW! Apparently Ann's nieces (two of them in nursing school) stay here during the school year. She didn't feel the need to tell us though. Needless to say I was a bit surprised when I walked in, and the young girl I though through the window was Amy was not. There names are Parissa and Laurie. They both seem really sweet. Parissa is a first year nursing student, and Parissa is starting her third year. I told Ann I'm going to have to hang sports memorabilia all over my room to assert my man hood in, what has now become, a hen house.
Great weekend overall. Time for a long awaited, what will be much to short of a rest. Night
1 comment:
Hey you fit everything in..amazing.So glad you had fun and made it the 9 3/4!
For most guys I would feel a bit sorry about the male female ratio in housing, but you will have them all wrapped around your finger. and a memoir called "Ireland and the Women" may be in order. :)
Keep the posts coming, it seems like you are living a lifetime of experiences in 3 weeks. Kay
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