Sunday, July 3, 2011 Full Day in London

Shsss don't tell anyone but this day I woke up super early and walked around the corner from my hotel and took The Big Bus tour. It was the first bus of the day so I got the prime seat. It was amazing. I couldn't believe I was in London. I toured around on the bus, got off walked around and took pictures got back on.
I went from a recorded bus tour to a live commentator tour. That was fun but I felt I was missing something.

I walked from the National Museum down to Westminster Abbey. It was down this long street. Yes, I could have taken the bus but what fun would that be right? I saw the Women of World War II Monument and thought of my brothers mom, Esther. I took a picture of this because it made me reflect on how women are so vital to human life in all phases of life.
I went to Buckingham Palace and honestly I just don't get all the fuss about it. Guess cuz I am not a Brit?

I did get back on the Big Bus and eventually made it back to Kensington Palace. I went and walked and saw the memorial that some folks had put up for Diana's 50th birthday. At that point I did get teary eyed. Well I thought of my mom and how much she enjoyed watching anything to do with Princess Diana and I thought of how both these women died too young and had some similarities in that they were both teachers and well just some other things.

I then walked to this one street which is where no pictures were allowed but I took one or two.
Then I went in search of the park in Notting Hill from the movie Notting Hill. I walked and walked and walked my way out of Notting Hill and then had to walk back. I then went up a street and down another and found a park but I am pretty sure it was not the right park but by then I was sweaty and tired. I had kept telling myself you have to do it for Jon if not it will be something you will never live down. So I searched until I could walk no more and found a little park but I am sure it was not the one from the movie so I guess I will have to go back one day.

I then stopped and got a Panini and water and walked back to Hyde Park and ate my lunch there. I sat on a bench and watched families with their Children at Princess Diana's park or something like that. It was nice. As I walked in Notting Hill and Hyde Park I felt as though I was walking in areas that my niece Laura walked at any given time. I felt as though she was there with me (even though she was really in Budapest).

I then went in search for the Peter Pan statue in the park. I had to see this and document this for my friends Cindy and Sarah. As I looked for this area in the park I kept telling myself I had to find it and not give up so I could show Cindy where we needed to go back and take our picture together. I finally found it and there was all these kids around - including me.
I eventually then walked out to the street and found the stop for the Big Bus and boarded when it arrived. I took the tour again but this time it was recorded so I stayed on again. I had missed some interesting facts so I was glad.
I was about 8 stops from my final stop when they announced we had to get off as the bus I was on was going to divert East and there would be another bus coming shortly to take us to the end of the tour. No problem right? Wrong, the gentleman at that stop said all the buses were done for the day and he had to coordinate another bus to come get a bus load of people that needed the final stops. As buses stopped by more people came off so that is how we got a bus load. This gentleman was very calm in the mist of all these tourists questioning him and wanting to know if a bus was coming.

We finally got a bus and I was grateful. I was ready to walk through another section of Hyde park and just suck it up and walk back to my hotel but I was tired.
When I finally arrived at my bus stop I got off and thanked the driver for his willingness to work later. I bought a sandwich and went to my room to shower. I was tired but after my shower woke right up. I watched Maid in Manhattan and eventually fell asleep. I had to be up at 4 am to get to the airport the next day. Needless to say I kept waking up every few hours.
I was sad to leave London for various reasons; the main one was that I didn't get to see my beautiful niece Laura and London is beautiful but did not have enough time to soak it all in. I can speak their language and the people are pleasent.

Below is a link to the photo album for this day.
https://picasaweb.google.com/EldredAM/July2London?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOu94MXSqpm3Ow&feat=directlink