Just touched down in Londontown

On my second to last adventure I made one of the trips I was looking forward to the most. I went to London to visit my good friend Keily who is a resident student at Richmond University. I decided to extend my weekend here and stayed for four nights Thursday- Monday.

Landing at the airport it was so exciting to hear everyone speaking English. There is so much less stigma associated with being American when there is no barrier to understanding and communicating (minus the green street hooligan slang).

Thursday night after I landed that afternoon we went to the local pub "The Bull". It was a really entertaining night and nice to have that built in group of friends that comes from visiting someone you know. I was about six inches taller than everyone there which is always a good conversation starter especially after they hear that I'm not British.

Friday we slept in and while Keily went to classes I walked around Kensington and High Street. Even window shopping here I felt guilty, considering most of the clothing and materials are worth more than I spent during my entire time abroad. I shopped as is one of my favorite things to do and lounged around coffee shops...one of the things I missed most in Italy.

Saturday was my major tourist day in London. I went to the Tower, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye. The weather was AWFUL...cold and rainy but I guess part of trying to be a true Englishwoman is dealing with the inclement climate. The sights were amazing especially the Tower of London. It has been brilliantly restored, and also modernized to be entertaining and interesting without becoming cheesy or historically inaccurate. That night we went to a club with a friend of Keily's and his "Uni" mates which was hysterical and such a great evening.

Sunday we relaxed and walked around the city, as well as made a trip to Harrods. During the holiday season their window displays could rival even the Macy's on 5th Avenue. The store was a mix of retail and theme park and was for me like a kid in a candy store. This relaxing day ended at the pub for a pint, and a good night sleep for my Monday flight.