Well this morning was just not my morning! I woke in enough time to walk to the bus station but accidentally took the long way and then was on the wrong side of a huge department store, which was between me and the bus station..so I got to the station at 7.16 and my bus had left (on time, first time ever) at 7.15 :( so I had to pay another £15 for a bus leaving an hour later..when I finally got to Victoria station in london (very cool to be in London!) I was confused and waited in the wrong ticket line for ages..finally found the underground and the line I needed to take, amongst hundreds of people with my big bag :S hopped on the first circle train, not realising it was going around the long way..so over half an hour (definitely could've walked in that time but soph had just said to grab the train) and almost £5 pounds later I made it to paddington station, where I was meant to be meeting soph..I got out on the wrong side and had to walk miles to get to the other side of the station..couldn't see soph (I was so late that I expected she'd gone back to the hostel) so followed the directions on my phone..alas, my phone died :S so I asked a kind courier man and finally found the hostel! Which was on a really lovely street..caught up with soph which was really nice..we caught a bus (I'd had enough of the underground!) to Camden markets which were awesomely lively and alternative..strolled around a bit then made our way back to the hostel for a cheeky nap before heading out for tea..went to a pub and had shepherds pie (traditional and oh so delicious)..then we decided to explore on foot a little bit..walked along Hyde park and down oxford street to picadilly circus..everywhere was bustling with activity, 'twas very cool..it started raining so we made our way back for an early night in :)
Up early to get some sightseeing in as soph flew back to Aust that evening..we walked to notting hill and strolled through the portobello road markets, which were super cool..the suburb was very trendy, with lots of different coloured terraces..we hired bikes which allowed us unlimited rides of up to 30mins for 24hours (there were docks throughout the city) so we made our way to buckingham palace..which was awesome! There were loads of people as it was changing of the guards but it was still AMAZING to see :) we then cycled to the Big Ben and Westminster, which were also super impressive..made our way across the Thames river to the awesome borough food markets..walked along London bridge, where we could see london tower, before parting ways ( as soph had to go organise her things)..I continued along to the very impressive Saint Paul's cathedral and Trafalgar Square (the London sights don't disappoint!!) before catching a bus back to the hostel..said a quick goodbye to soph then trekked an hour to the next hostel I'd booked..it was cheaper as it was on the western outskirts of London (ie in the ghetto!)..it was such a long walk and even started raining..but I didn't want to pay for a bus!! Lol the things I do to save a couple of dollars, honestly..found the hostel, they hadn't received my booking and were full so I was put in room with just two single beds, so close it was pretty much one bed..thought I'd scored a room to myself when an Asian girl came in..anyways she was nice and I felt bad as I think she wanted to explore together but I'd made plans to catch up with Maike and her friend..4th time id seen Maike in in a month! Took a couple of buses and finally made it to east London, where I met the girls at an awesome bar on the 39th floor of a sky rise building..nice views! Caught up before walking the streets, apparently east london is the new Camden and tis very trendy..reminded me of newtown..as the friend lived there she knew a cheap bagel place (bagel with cream cheese yum!) and bar..had one beer and then we headed home..3 buses, a lot of waiting and walking later I made it back to the hostel..took about 2 hours..ill do anything to avoid the expensive subway (it probably ended up costing me the same amount...) :P
Checked out, bid farewell to my Chinese friend (who was very anxious about who her next roomie might be) and headed in to the city..planned to meet up with lisa who was visiting London with her mum.so many people to catch up with in London! Wasnt going to catch them all..walking around near where I was staying I could see the beginnings of the notting hill carnival..people dressed up in crazy clothes, music playing..feeling a tad disappointed I was missing out! Annoyingly enough though buses had changed and I was dropped off far away from where Lis was..exhausted from yesterday's walking I trudged through Hyde park with my bag for over half and hour to where I thought we were meeting to discover she was another 25min walk away :S so I got a bus! We finally found each other and had a nice lunch in Kensington..then walked to Victoria station where we bid farewell..I'd loved London with it's friendly people and buzzing atmosphere but decided it was too expensive so I'd organised to go the south of England to stay with yet another precious friend, Becky! Unbelievable how many people I knew/was able to catch up with/meet..blessed :)
