The London Underground

I've only been in London for three days, but I can say that I definitely love this place.  After the longest flight I have ever been on in my life, I was exhausted and just wanted to take a long nap.  That feeling ended the second we stepped on the coach at the airport and started traveling through the city.  Just driving through the city (on the wrong side of the road) to our lodging was so surreal after the months of waiting to get here.  It has been non-stop going ever since, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

The tube has been super easy to use after our first adventure all together to the south bank of the Thames.  After reaching Embankment station, it was so easy to cross the footbridge over the river. Looking out to the right you could see Big Ben and the London Eye, while looking left you could the financial district and St. Paul's cathedral.  Just standing on the bridge and looking around was such an awesome experience, especially since the weather has been unusually (so I'm told) nice.  Once we reached the south bank, we immediately turned to our left and walked a very short way to the National Theatre. 

From here, we decided to head west to the London Eye, which is so much bigger than it looks in pictures and movies.  The area all along the river on the south bank is so cool.  So many people are street performing (busking, as the Brits call it), eating at neat restaurants and pubs, or just walking and enjoying themselves.  It is really hard to believe that this area was once known as a bad area of town.

The Globe proved to be the hardest part of the adventure to find, and it was quite the hike from the Eye.  By this time, the soles of my feet were destroyed, but it was worth every minute of the suffering. 

While everyone else went off to their shows, Michelle, Ashley and I decided to explore even further.  We learned that ordering water at a restaurant is more complicated than it has to be, that grandpas can be pretty poor DJ's, and that the term "wanker" used in context (and with British accent) is undoubtedly the best word in the English lexicon. 

If the first three days of adventure and fellowship with new friends is any indication of how the next month will be, then we are in for one great summer.