Rocky?!?!

Monday in London went by like a blur. The day began with me going to Leadenhall Market, they did some Harry Potter filming there. It was pretty small for how big they made it look on screen. But still it was very exciting to be there. From there I went to Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guards. It was very structured and everything was just right to change out the four guards out front. They came marching in (around 40 in the big hats and red uniforms and another 40 in black uniforms). There was even a band to play for them as they marched in. The music while marching was very royal and somber. Once inside the gate they started to set up to play some more. They started out very slowly, you could just here them over the crowd. There were people from all over the world, it was amazing to hear so many voices speaking so many different languages, some I recognized some not so much. But then the music was getting louder and a little familiar?? The whole crowd started to listen closely and then slowly you hear everyone say "Rocky????". The ROYAL GUARD was playing the theme to Rocky?!?! A little off putting but. . . well there's not much more you can say about that. The rest of their selections were what I would have expected from the Royal Guard playing in front of Buckingham Palace.

From the Palace I headed over the Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. I spent a lot of time there, nothing terribly exciting just very interesting. I did get to sit inside the theatre and watch as they were setting up for the next play opening this weekend. I left there to go back to the West End for another show.

And. . . I got lost again! But this time I ended up at the European Premier of the new Batman movie. There I was just feet from the stars and the Batmobile. The crowd was huge so I didn't actually stay all that long, the pressure and heat was enormous. Anyway I had a play to go to. I forget the name right now, but it was pretty good. I am more of a musical person so the fact that they didn't burst out into song was a little sad, but there was dancing. I got invited to go by my new friend David, a tour guide from the London Bridge. He had to go to this play so he could tell tourists about it and invited me to join.

After the play I found my way back to the Batman movie, hoping to see some celebrity leaving the theater. The crowd was much smaller then, but I didn't recognize anyone leaving. The main stars had apparently left another way and were already long gone. I heard a rumor that some Harry Potter stars were inside- but I didn't see any.

Sunday

Sunday was great, quick breakdown- Church, got lost, Church again, lost again.

Church-part 1

I got to go to Mass at Westminster Cathedral. It was absolutely beautiful inside, even if they were doing massive restoration. Afterwards I walked over to Buckingham Palace. Very cool! Didn't stay to watch the changing of the guards, since I would have had to wait over an hour and there are many things I want to do, so waiting wasn't on my agenda. I started to wander towards Picadilly Circus. Very exciting area with lots of people. From there I decided to get on a bus to Westminster Abbey.

Lost- part 1

The bus I got on was the right bus. . . In the wrong direction. Wish I could say I noticed but I didn't. Along the way I started to think that the ride was taking longer than I had expected but what do I know? I'm a tourist. I have decided I like the riding the double decker bus better than taking the underground. (The bus will be a story for another day.) From the top of the bus I noticed that there was a really great looking open market going on. There where TONS of people, you could barely see the road. I decided to get off the bus to wander through the market. I loved the market, got some tea and cookies. Also found some great pictures I loved. The whole thing was so much fun. When I was leaving was when I realized I had no idea where I was, since I was trying to leave. Finally I figured out I had merely gone the wrong direction on the bus line. Got on the bus and headed the right direction to Wesminster Abbey.

Church- part 2

Got the Abbey just in time for an afternoon service. It was AMAZING inside. And I got to sit in a very cool seat. I have no pictures to show, prohibited during serives, but I will have to find a picture to show you all later. From there I went to the Tower of London and the London Bridge. Both very fun to look at and intersting to learn how the bridge works. Leaving the bridge I decided to take a walk along the Thames River.

Lost- part 2

The walk was amazing. I started to head back to the dorm for an early night. But then noticed the Millenium bridge and decided to cross. Found St. Paul's Cathedral and looked around that. From there I had no idea where to go, but it took 3 hrs to get back to the dorm. All ended well.

I am now very homesick. And am ready to finally be home. I love you all!!

WOW!!!

So much as happened the last few days! I am going to focus on what I can deal with for right now.

Friday night was graduation, it was a VVVEERRRYYY long ceremony. Only supposed to last 1hr so we could be at dinner on time, instead it took 2hrs and we missed cocktail hr. But the main point is that I finished year 2!! I am so happy and proud of most of the things I did (some was crap, let's face it) but overall it must have been good since I ended with at 4.0GPA. Saying goodbye to all my wonderful friends was really hard. We all get along so well and have so much fun together, but then again we all scattered as quickly as possible once graduation was over.

Saturday was wonderful, and busy. Left my dorm in Plymouth at 8:30 am and arrived in London around 1:30. Checked into my new dorm room- cheaper than a hotel and safer/cleaner than a hostel- and headed back out. First stop was Harry Potter's house from the movies in Bracknell. It was pretty to cool to be there but not overly exciting. Not much to take pictures of since it is all in the movies. Then back in London I decided I might want to catch a show in the West End. So I stopped by a couple of those "cheap ticket" places and they actually told me the best price/seat would only be offered at the theatre. I was a little confused over them sending business away, but took them at their word. I decided to try Wicked and went to that theatre first. I was a little worried since I had heard tickets started at about £70, but it doesn't hurt to check anyway- besides it was starting in 30min so who knows if there would even be any tickets left. I ended up with a FRONT ROW ticket for only £25. It was an amazing show!! The cast was wonderful, I couldn't help comparing it to the soundtrack I love listening to and this was just as beautifully sung if not better for it being live.