Wednesday, July 25, 2012

It's London, Baby! (Part III)... FINALLY!

(First thing's first.  Go check out Established: 2008, where I'm guest-posting about my hatred of bottled salad dressing and an absolutely SCRUMPTIOUS two-for-one recipe!)

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What?  Just because I'm not posting this until two and a half months after I got back, you assumed I forgot to share my final London post with you guys?

Truth be told, I sort of did.  But mostly, I've just had heck with my personal laptop and only recently got a few pictures transferred over to my work pc.  So let me just remind you where I left off (see Part One and Part Two). 

I had managed to set aside an entire day for site-seeing (which was a miracle considering that I had five depositions to take and prepare for while I was there and expert reports to finish the week I got back).  And I saved the three things I was most excited for for that day:  Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and St. Paul's Cathedral.


I got off the subway (or the "tube") at the proper stop and was utterly bewildered when I saw multiple people dressed up in bizarre costumes like this to pose with tourists (for a small fee, of course).  I successfully managed to convince them that I wasn't interested in their services and carried on (after snapping a picture for you guys, obvi).

I immediately came upon Parliament and Big Ben up close and just marveled.  I had seen it on my bus tour on my first day there, but it was even more impressive than I had remembered.





I wasn't able to take the time to go in and observe anything, as I really wanted to be able to take my time at Westminster Abbey.

And when I finally caught my first glimpse?

I cried.


It's just so incredibly beautiful and moving, and there was so much history everywhere I looked. 



Unfortunately, pictures were prohibited inside the church, but I did manage to sneak a few with my iPhone.  (I know that that makes me a terrible person, but I just couldn't help myself.)

This is inside King Henry VII's chapel, which was incredible.


This was in the main part of the church.  Truly, y'all.  I couldn't get over how gorgeous and sobering this place was.




If I posted all of the pictures I took of Westminster Abbey, you guys would be here awhile, so I'll move on.  After I grabbed London's finest attempt at BBQ (which was actually pretty decent), I headed to go check out the Tower of London.


If you don't know much about the Tower of London, check out the deets here.  Basically, it's a castle that was built in 1066 and has served as a royal residence and a prison (it was where Elizabeth was held before she became queen and where Anne Boleyn was beheaded), among other things.


I felt very small and young standing there, where so many things I'd read about took place.


After I wandered through all of the buildings (including that holding the crown jewels... amazing, but no pictures allowed), I left and took a stroll across Tower Bridge.


It was windy, but worth it.  Check out the view.


The juxtaposition of old and new was so fantastic to me.

After that, I headed toward the center of town where St. Paul's cathedral was located.  I missed visiting hours, so I couldn't go in, but I did snap a picture or two.



As nearly everything else in London, this place was gorgeous.

At this point, I was pretty much spent.  Thankfully, I remembered to pack my Converse (when I went to NYC, I only packed cute shoes.  Never again...), so I had enough energy to take a stroll in search of a delicious Italian restaurant.  I found a cute little hole-in-the-wall place, grabbed a seat in the back and made friends with some locals who were convinced they could never come to Texas because they didn't know how to ride a horse.  I tried to convince them that we have roads and cars, but they weren't buying it...

I came home the next day.


I was so ready to come home to my love, but I won't lie, you guys...  I definitely left a piece of my heart in London.  I doubt I'll go back, as I don't think Micah would really appreciate it the way I did, and I don't thing any subsequent trip could compare to the magic of this one.  But it was definitely the trip of a lifetime (and paid for by work!), and I'll treasure the memories I made for many years to come.

5 comments:

Laura said...

Wow! Absolutely gorgeous pictures! I cant read enough of the Henry VIII era or any king and queen books for that matter.

Charlotte said...

I went to London a few years ago. I totally agree it is such a beautiful place. I absolutely LOVED it and am dying to go back.
Your pictures are stunning! Brings back so many memories. Remember hearing this?.. "Please mind the gab between the train and the platform!" *insert British accent*

Kristin said...

I'm so glad you had a great experience. My love of all things written by Sophie Kinsella really makes me want to go to England.

Cami said...

Thanks for posting these pics...made me remember my trip a couple of years ago :) Thanks for all of the memories!!!!!!!
Happy to hear you had such an amazing time <3

Sugarr2518 said...

Wow! I love all of the pictures:) I love all of the details in the building and it holds so much history! I would love to go to London!

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