Last Friday, Sara Beth and I woke up at 5 am, were on the train by 6 am, and were standing in the Royal National courtyard at 8 am (London time) hugging Julie and Olivia! So great to be reunited with such dear friends!
Sadly Julie and Olivia had to hurry off to class but Sara Beth and I used the time to rest up a bit before our first day in London - which was easily done in their homey little hotel room (decorated with fresh flowers and a box of delicious mini cupcakes to make us feel welcome)! When the girls got back from class we set out for a delightful lunch at In Season, a cute little sandwich shop they had been dying to try and I am sure will soon be regulars. The rest of the day we spent walking through London, from Leicester square to Trafalgar square, climbing on the lions, sampling wine and cheese at a festival near the River Thames, and attending an evensong service at Westminister Abbey. That night we also ate fish 'n chips at The Globe (deja vu to my very first night in Europe last summer when T and I ate there together). We ended the night laughing in room 2233, snuggled into Julie and Liv's tiny twin beds!
Our second day in London started with some excitement. As we were getting ready, the fire alarm went off. Now we aren't completely sure of the cause but it did coincide with my straightener overheating, hair sizzling, and then immediately the alarm sounding. Not just in our room, but the whole building. So I think it is pretty accurate to conclude that I made a 1000 room hotel evacuate, early on a Saturday morning. Ooops. As we were standing out in the cold and other Furman people were complaining, we were laughing and saying yeah I'm sorry, but really I'm sorry. Oh well, just another day in the life.
With the fire alarm fiasco behind us, we tagged along with Julie and Liv to breakfast at the Royal National (aka Royal Nasty) and then headed to Leicester for some discount theater tickets, sadly no luck. However this turned out for the best since we then headed to the Les Mis theater office in hopes of a deal. Although the show is sold out every Friday and Saturday night until Christmas, what they fail to advertise is that they do have 10 pound standing tickets. Yes, we bought them. And with happy hearts, set off to picnic in Hyde Park! The weather was beautiful and our picnic of Pret-a sandwiches was absolutely perfect. All is right when you are back to sharing meals with Miss Olivia LeCompte!
After a relaxing afternoon in the park we got fro-yo from Harrods, classy and delicious. We then took an express walk through the Victoria and Albert museum, mostly spending our time quoting the Young Victoria and wishing Carolyn was there with us! We caught a double decker bus back to Picadilly to grab some chinese food before heading to the show. We prepared for our 3 hours of standing by loading up on British treats (such as flakes, twirls, and digestives) and diet coke, tucked them into Olivia's purse, and headed to the theater.
I can now say that standing is the optimal way to see a show. Sure your feet may get a little tired, but for 10 pounds you get a great view of the stage and the opportunity to dance (or march) along.Such an incredible production and now I can check seeing Les Mis in London off of my bucket list, dreams do come true!
Sunday morning we headed to church with some of the British Isles crew. Then SB, Julie, and I hit the very crowded Camden Markets. We found a few treasures and headed back for a quick lunch stopping in a few thrift stores along the way. Then we set out for the train station to say goodbye to Sara Beth and meet up with Liv.
Later that evening, Julie, Olivia, and I enjoyed tea and scones and then grabbed some take out burgers and headed to the hotel to enjoy a glimpse of next semester! Such ridiculous times just chatting, ranting, skyping, (studying?! or pretending to), and enjoying some quality time before my 5 am wake up to head back to Brussels and real life (and by that I mean a mid term which I had yet to study for and a paper to write)!
The trip was a whirlwind and a joy! I already can't wait for the goodness to continue when they visit Brussels in November and then all of next semester! Oh man, this has gotta be the good life. Feeling very blessed by the gift of such great friends (not to mention exploring another wonderful European city).
The Local Londoners outside In Season.
Trafalgar Square with Julie and Sara Beth.
Snuggled up in the Royal Nasty.
Picnic in Hyde Park with my roommates!
Dream Come True: Les Mis in London with Jules!
Tea, Scones, Jam, Laughter.
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