Oh the Places We Went- London

(For a couple of architecture buffs, the old buildings were a treat)

London. Our trip to London started much like our trip to Paris. After a harried Parisian Taxi ride, we arrived at the train station where I was immediately accosted by a gypsy which so caught me off guard, that I almost walked in front of an oncoming bus, pulling Emma's hand the whole way. Good times.

(National pride)

After safely making our way onto our train we were told that there had been a fatality on the line and that our train would be delayed. Of course it would. We were getting used to this. Oddly enough, later I could not find a news story online about the Eurostar incident. There was a brief blurb about a terrorist act on the line and then never any additional information. Olympic fueled national coverup perhaps?

(At the Palace)

London was wonderful. I felt much more relaxed there. After having to struggle through conversations with the French for several days, clutch our purses for dear life and keep an eagle eye on our girls, it felt good to just relax and enjoy the city and it's culture. It was nice that we could understand what they were saying. Almost all the time.

(Cue the singing angels, my first step into Cath Kidston)

Let me just say right now, the English are super friendly. I could listen to them talk all day long. Why are they all so cheery? Something to strive for.
 

(A Father's Day dream come true for my guy)

 

At home, Emma often has a tendency to talk in an English accent fueled by her love of Harry Potter and Narnia.

 (I feel certain that if she could have gone through that wall, we Muggles never would have seen her again)

While in London I tried to discourage her from doing it so that no one would think that we were making fun of them. So instead I did it. Pip, pip, cheerio. Of course I was doing it to honor them and because I so badly wanted to be one of them. I even wanted to change the girls names to things like Jubilee and Piccadilly just to further show my love for their country.

 (Would the real Harry Potter please stand up)

The architecture, history and national pride are amazing. I wish we had more time as it is impossible to see it all in 4 short days with uncomfortable shoes.

(No. 4 Privet Drive)

 

What I learned in London:
1) The English have a way with words. Mind the gap, indeed. It sounds much better than watch your step.
2) The service at restaurants is awful by American standards.
3) Every time you leave your hotel room it will cost you $100.
4) Very short skirts and shorts paired with tights are apparently right for any occasion.
5) The word Circus does not mean the same thing in London that it means in Indiana.
6) To guarantee your safety, don't be the first one to step out into the street when crossing.
7) Their food packaging is amazing, thus making me want to eat more and more.
8) Mashed peas come with everything, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
9) Warm milk in cereal is a rather unsettling experience.
10) The Tube system is perhaps not the most user friendly Metro system around.

 (I believe I would now like to seek work as a food package designer)

Some of my favorite memories of this trip were The Harry Potter Warner Bros tour, the doubledecker Ghostbus tour,

(There was lots of inspiring typography on this vacation)

happening upon the Sherlock Holmes museum on Father's Day morning, the palace guards, CATH KIDSTON

 (The Sherlock Holmes Pub where we had dinner one night)

and learning that my family, can indeed live in a 8 foot x 10 foot room for 4 days without causing bodily harm to one another. There were a couple of close calls though.

 (The bunk beds in our hotel room. They were about 2 feet from the end of our bed)