A visit from home <3

So last week was so fabulous. Mommy and Aunt E were visiting!! They got here on Monday, and it was so exciting. The first place we went to was walking around Trafalgar Square, then Leicester Square. After that we went to the National Portrait Gallery, I still hate art. Then I was really excited to show them my flat so they could see what my life is like here. After that class, then out to dinner with them and the roomie in Leicester Square.

Tuesday we went to Leicester Square (after getting lost walking there) to buy tickets for a West End show. After we got our tickets we went to the London Craft Show, which was basically the 5th Avenue of Craft shows, but was still fun. On our way walking from there, we saw a street performer. What he was doing was pretty cool, but nothing too crazy. But it was fun to stop and watch. From there we went to ride on the London Eye. I dont know why I was so scared to last time, cause it was super fun. I was able to see the whole city of London, and it was so gorgeous. After that we rode on a river boat cruise. It was freezing, but nice to see everything from the Thames. Later we went to see the show We Will Rock You. It was such an awesome show! I cant wait to go again with Allie when I get home and the show comes to NY since it is such an Allie show. After the show, we stopped at the Haagen-Dasz cafe for dinner/dessert. I was expecting it to be more unique stuff there besides the usual brownie sundae stuff, but it was still delish.

Wednesday, we had our tour of parliament set up by my internship. I think it was supposed to be a private tour, but it was still nice even though there were other people. It was cool hearing what the things I had previously seen but not known what they were. And I liked just being in Parliament, it was just such a feeling that all the important decisions are made where I was. From there I showed them my bench, with the awesome view of the Thames and the London Eye. Even though it was starting to rain, we went over to Kensington Gardens and saw the palace that houses Princess Diana's dresses and other fun stuff. We learned all about how to be a debutante, and it was hysterical. After that I went home then to class, and Im pretty sure they went home to take a nap. After class we went to this Italian restaurant that was recommended to us, but definitely not worth the trip there.

Thursday was a much more relaxed day. We went shopping on Oxford Street and went to Primark and Marks and Spencers and no where touristy. I liked being able to show them real London and not just the sites. After that we went back to my flat for a little, then walked around/got really lost in Regent's Park. I didnt mind though because I love that park, its one of my favorite places ever. Then we went to a little Restaurant up the road from us that was better than the one the night before, so not worth the travel the day before. Then I slept in the hotel again :)

Friday was our big trip. We left bright and early, and our first stop was Windsor Castle. It basically just reinforced how much I want to be a legit princess. While we were walking out, we happened to stumble upon the changing of the guard there. It was so funny. Our next stop was to Stonehenge. It was really cool seeing it, but after 5 minutes I was over it. But now I can say that I have been to one of the wonders of the world! The third stop was to the city of Bath. It was interesting seeing the ancient Roman baths, but again nothing really that special. It was a nice day though because as much as I love being in London, its nice to get out of the city for a little.

Saturday we went to Portobello market for Grandma. I promised her I would go there, and I am really glad that I did, especially with mommy and aunt e. They had everything there. I think I am going to go back and buy some little presents for the people I promised I would bring stuff home for. The craziest part of being there was when we were walking and they were playing a song about Diana. I was waiting for a sign from grandma that that was the market she wanted us to go to, and that was definitely it. I went home from there just to change clothes, then back to the hotel for a really nice dinner. I had picked what I was going to eat from the restaurant every time I walked past it, and it was definitely worth it. A nice last night with them.

Sunday was sad saying goodbye, but I was better than I thought I would be. All my flat mates were really concerned for me, but I really wasnt that bad. Meaghan and I went shopping after to not be sad that they left. Their visit was just what I needed to recharge me and give me the extra boost I needed to finish out the semester.

I love my visitors and I loved their visit! <3

Scotland and Yom Kippur in London

So last Friday we left to head off to Scotland. It was a 5 hour train ride, but it was a really pretty one at that. I got really excited when I saw the Atlantic Ocean from the other side. However, it looks the same, not really sure what I was expecting. When we finally got to Scotland, we arrived in Edinburgh, which is the capital of the country. We were met our tour guide, who was wearing a kilt! He gave us a walking tour which was good so we got acquainted with the old and new town of the city. After he left, we went to a Scottish pub for dinner. I then went shopping and bought lots of presents. I didn’t know that Scotland was known for its cashmere! So after shopping, I went back to the hostel. Had I known it was going to be a hostel, I might have arranged another place to stay, such as the Hilton across the road. Well on my way back, I saw a man wearing a kilt playing a bagpipe, and it kind of was the best part of the trip. Anyway, later that night we went around the city to get a few drinks, then just went back and crashed since it was a long day.

Saturday we got a new tour guide, who was also wearing a kilt. The first stop for the day was climbing a mountain to the Wallace monument. Wallace is the guy that the movie “Braveheart” is about. Our next stop was the meet Hamish. Hamish is the famous “hairy coo.” I fed him, then remembered that I don’t like being that close to animals. We drove up through the highlands, which were unbelievably gorgeous. I think it was the prettiest place I have ever seen in my life. And I loved that on top of some of the mountains there was snow! But everything else was green and there were waterfalls and it was just spectacular. Then we went to Loch Ness. We looked for Nessie the Loch Ness monster, but he wasn’t there. After that, we went to Inverness. This hostel was even worse than the last one.

Sunday we went to the battlefield where the battle for Scotland’s independence was fought. Not gonna lie, did not like walking through the mud just to hear a story about how Scotland lost on their own turf. After that though, we went to a whiskey distillery. We saw how it was made, and of course had some free samples at the end.

Monday thru Wednesday was the same as every other one. Classes and work, nothing too exciting really. Then on Thursday it was Yom Kippur, and I went to my local temple here. It is still weird to me first that they have a choir, and second when they would pray for God to protect the queen and royal family. Later that day I went to Jen’s house to break fast. It was me and Jen as the only two Americans, and all of her boyfriend’s friends from high school. All of them are white South African orthodox Jews. It was really interesting, but really weird too.

Since I was off Thursday, I went to work yesterday. Today I went to Oxford Street for a little shopping, then just walked around Primrose Hill and Regent’s Park since it was surprisingly warm and sunny here. It made me sad seeing all families and friends, and mine are in New Jersey.

Tomorrow I am helping out at a work function. I get to help see who can become a Prospective Parliamentary Candidate. It should definitely be interesting.
Then on Monday morning…MOMMY AND AUNT E!!! I am so unbelievable excited, I cant wait!!!