Started off with our second Historic London walking tour by meeting our professor at the Tower of London tube stop. Next week we'll actually be going to the Tower, so today we just got a quick briefing. We saw the old Port of London Authority building, Tower Hill, the area where public executions were held (versus the private executions on Tower Green behind the Tower walls). We then headed toward some sites involving the Great Fire. Pudding Lane (where the fire originated in a bakery), the monument commemorating the fire, the site of a church that burnt down in the fire.
We went to a church where Charles Dickens was known to go (St. Olaves, I think was the name). Lucky us showed up at a time when the musicians were rehearsing! Our professor informed us that many churches offer free concerts around lunchtime... I'll have to go to one sometime! This is inside St. Olaves..
Then there was Minster Court, where part of the newer 101 Dalmations was filmed... saw the Gurkin (bullet-shaped building designed by Norman Foster), and Lloyd's (designed by Richard Rogers) and Leadenhall Market....
We grabbed an inexpensive lunch nearby (2.60 pounds for a sandwich, chips and soda!! We love our deals). I then went on my first solo tube ride to meet Julia at the Victoria & Albert Museum. I even had to change over on the tube! The tube system is really easy... I can't believe I was frightened of it! I'm still proud of myself :)
Walking to the V&A from the tube stop, I ran into Harrod's. It's just as beautiful as I had hoped! I didn't have time to go inside, but I can only imagine what that experience will be like when I finally have the chance to! I heard they have a pet shop?!
The V&A was incredible!
I wasn't sure what to expect seeing as I'm still not museums' number one fan, but I thoroughly enjoyed what we saw of the museum... only about a half of it today! (Guess I'll have to go back... darn!) We went through the fashion/jewelry area, some theatrical rooms (and even got to dress up), and several random Asia, sculpture, tapestry rooms. Can't wait to go back! The Science Museum and Natural History Museum are in the area, too!
After that, me, Julia and her friend, Karen, went off to find some dinner. Ran into a pub near the tube station and got a cheeseburger, chips and cider. Delicious! I had been craving a good burger and am now finally satisfied. I then browsed some shops in the area and caught the tube again to Waterloo area in search of the Old Vic Theatre. It was our first play for Performing Arts class!
Here's more info on the play and theatre: http://www.oldvictheatre.com/
The play was really comical and entertaining. I wish I wasn't so tired.. otherwise I think I would've enjoyed it more (or at least would've been more awake). It was still a great first London theatre experience! I'm hoping to see at least one musical while I'm here in London. Me and some friends are interested in seeing Les Miserables. How wonderful would that be?!
I am exhausted.. time for some sleep. Hopefully a car alarm doesn't go off again like it did last night for half an hour! Ugh! I guess this is a city...
Anyway, goodnight all!
xxx
No comments:
Post a Comment