St. Paul's Cathedral

We had the opportunity to take a guided super tour through St. Paul's Cathedral. It was so beautiful!

After we had a tour through the main portion and the crypt of the cathedral we climbed 500 (I'm going to say that one more time) we climbed five hundred stairs, to the very top dome of the cathedral. 500! It was a long, treacherous hike to the top, but I kept telling myself that If I can hike Half Dome I can hike St Paul's Cathedral. 

At the top?

It was well worth the journey.

And this was our view!

The Grand Tour

For the next 2 months this is my home!

My lovely porch

The Front Room

The Dining Room

The chandeliers and crown molding are beautiful! The pictures don't do it justice. Our flats are a couple floors above. Sixty-six steps up to be exact, and I'm quite sure my legs will be significantly more buff by the end of this. Too bad we don't have a lift. Also, due to getting settled, I reserved the right to not take a picture of our messy flat, but this is the view from our beautiful bay window.

While the Centre is beautiful, I can't hardly wait for classes to start on Monday, and to delve deeper into the city! This is going to be great. I can feel it.

Love Love Love

I love it here.

I love how quaint the city is.

I love how friendly the people are.

I love the layers and layers of history.

I love that I can walk into the National Gallery for free and see 

works of art by Vincent Van Gogh and Caravaggio. 

I love it here.

Things I learned on my first day:

1. Whoever said London was cold and rainy was misinformed. Or maybe I just brought the CA sunshine :)

If they weren't dying of heatstroke in those fluffy hats at the changing of the guard, I would be shocked.

2. Pay attention to signs.

I never realized how often I just look to my left and start walking... bad idea in London.

3. Harrods is ridiculously expensive.


There was a 200 Pounds and under rack.
If I bought a shirt for 300 Dollars it would not be on a rack.
It would be hanging in a frame for goodness sake.


Also, I bought a 12 dollar milkshake.

Don't judge.

4. Fountains are nice to stick your feet in.

---Unless you drop your sock in the water.











soggy socks are no fun.

5.



Sidewalk chalk

is

not

just for

five-year-olds.

6. Watch for falling objects.

Yes, a bird pooped on my head.

Lessons learned, ready for more adventures tomorrow :)

Yes, I'm still alive... barely

Gotta love jet-lag. It is currently 6:42pm, 9:42pm, and 2:42am, all at the same time. How can this be? My body is set to California time (6:42pm), my brain is set to Canada time (9:42pm), and I was told to think positively about London time (2:42am), which it will be when I get off my next plane. 

Yes we live in an airport :)

Many hours later...

I have arrived! In the last 55 hours, I've spent approximately 4 hours sleeping, 3 hours driving, 13 hours sitting in an airport, and 12 hours on a plane. Yes, I'm alive, though my body and brain gave up trying to work hours ago. But hey! I'm in London!!

4:00pm London Time (8:00am CA Time)