Friday in London

Well, my intentions to wake up around 9 am and hit the city of London didn't quite work out so well! I got up and going by abour 11 am though which wasn't too bad. Today was overcast and windy but thankfully it didn't rain. After stopping for a cheap sandwich and a bottle of water, I hopped on the tube and headed out for the day.

First stop was St. Paul's Cathedral which is where many royal weddings and other events are held. I couldn't take pictures inside so I bought the souvenir book, but it was amazing inside! I did, however walk up the 500 and some steps up to the highest part on the dome, as well as the two levels before that - that was a workout! But was such a gorgeous view from there!

After St. Paul's, I planned to head over to the London Bridge area and hit up the famous Tower of London. Though my ideal walk along the Thames river was interrupted by businesses but eventually I got to the waterfront and enjoyed the nice peaceful walk over plus saw a lot of riverside of the Thames. I finally got to the Tower of London which was different from what I expected. I thought it was more a tower like Big Ben with dungeons and stuff inside but it's a full out castle with 20 towers! So after getting my ticket to get in, I happened to be just in time for the last guided tour of the Tower of London by one of the Yeomen. They are the guards who are dressed in uniform and actually live inside the Tower of London with their families and they get locked in every night at 10 pm - that would suck!

But our guide was really good, and of course told us all about the bloody history of the Tower of London. After that, I just did some walking around the grounds and various buildings myself. The Tower of London is where the Crown Jewels are kept under display so I got to see those which really were cool! But as I was going through the display of armory and weapons in the White tower in the middle of the grounds, they started closing up so i didn't get to see it all.

But from there, I headed just next door to the tower bridge, commonly mistaken for the London bridge. It was cool and we even got to go up on top and walk across the upper area of it, as well as see the machinery that raises and lowers the bridge.

After that, it still was early and light out, so I tried to head over to see the London Bridge Experience but I got there and they said it was closed... so I didn't bother. I started walking over to the Globe theater but realized that it was probably closed by then and if I wanted to see a show tonight then I should go get a ticket. So I hopped on the underground and headed over to Piccadilly Circus in the West End. Once there, I had to walk around a bit to find the TKTS booth where they sell theater ticktes for half price and sometimes cheaper! Thankfully, of the three shows I wanted to see I was able to get a ticket to one. I saw Billy Elliot which is the adaptation of the movie about a english boy in the mid-80's who lives in a mining town during the miner's strike but ends up learning ballet and gets accepted to the Royal Ballet Academy. It's the music of Elton John so that was amazing to hear and it was just incredible to see! I saw high in the balcony but aside from seeing behind the scenery (they were not very tall sets, as well as I could see the trapdoors open and stuff rise as well) and the one time when Billy flies to the fly area which I couldn't see - the view was amazing! I loved it and so wish I could see it again!

After that, I came back to the hostel as I was tired and not in the mood to go out, nor did I know where or have anyone to go out with and I figured London isn't the best place to go off at night alone! I aim to do more sightseeing tomorrow and if I can get a cheap enough ticket, then I might see another show but I just have to see. It would be awesome to see either We Will Rock You or Lord of the Rings as I can't see them on Broadway. But I'll just have to wait and see if there's tickets left and how cheap they are! Well I'm off to bed.. night!