London Day 1

7:55 AM August 13, 2011

Pints of strongbow and pitchers of pimms did me in...and a couple of shots of sambuca. To be fair, we started at 6 before dinner. Ok, here's the story. We get a message from Alvaro to meet up by the London Eye because everyone was there. Chelsea and I walked from Trafalgar Square to meet up. We find Alvaro and Pete at a pub, Tessie and Katie and everyone were in line for the London Eye. Alvaro said line was WAY too long so Chelsea and I decided to stay at the pub. At the pub we met this couple asking us about American politics and they bought us drinks. And kept buying us drinks. They were really cool, really nice people. After the pub, we had dinner and met up wit Alvaro's friends. And went to a bar...for some pimms. Both favorite drinks in one night....oye.

We were productive prior to drinkfest. Since we are staying at Piccadilly Circus, we are SUPER close to Chinatown. So, for brunch Chelsea and I had a shit-ton of chinese. Ok not really a shit-ton just fried rice, chow mein, ha gao, spring rolls and some other dim sum noodle dish. And it was HEAVEN! I've been craving rice for so long!

Afterwards, we did the Westminster thing: went to Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, St James' Park, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, and walked Whitehall (and that is where we found Alvaro and Pete at a pub).

We paid the entrance fee to Westminster Abbey and it was worth it. You can see the progression of British Gothic Architecture throughout the abbey. AND poet's corner is awesome! All these people in literary history are buried or have a plaque in their honor.

We didn't really go inside Buckingham Palace. It's about the same price and you can't take pictures and it's only the state rooms. The Queen wasn't home. She's hanging out in Scotland right now. Walked The Mall to Trafalgar Square, passed Clarence House (I was looking for Harry. He wasn't home).

National Museum was cool. It's pretty much a bunch of paintings from 1500-1900s.

National Portrait Museu has a new exhibit up: Hollywood Silver Screen from 1920s-1960s. It was awesome!!!! <3 also="" and="" br="" harry.="" le="" of="" portrait="" sigh.="" wills="">