My Last Days in London

After my stressfully whirlwind of finals and papers, I had three whole days to enjoy London, before I left for good. I spent those days with a very good friend from home, Chelsea, and we had a blast, seeing my favorite things in London, as well as new.

We first walked around the area of Chelsea. Unlike the one in New York, this one was a quiet area, with a nice river bank and sweet high street. Later we walked through Camden Market, which wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be. We saw the main sights, such as Tower Bridge, St. Paul's, etc. and rode the 15 Bus, which allowed us to take my favorite route through London.

We also did quite an impressive pub crawl with my fellow students that lived in the Landward. We were supposed to hit all 16 pubs that stretched all the walk from our apartment building to school. Everyday we had passed them on our way to school, or on our way back in search of our bed to pass out in. So we aimed to hit all of them. I must admit this was quite an impressive goal, as a half pint in all of them wouldn't have been possible for many of us, let alone a full pint. But we made it, and it was like a moving party. Every time the setting got boring you moved on to the next pub, yet you were still surrounded by your friends. It was most definitely an experience and quite fun actually.

My last day was spent in Notting Hill and Portebello Market. We had amazing Bangers and Mash at the Sausage and Mash Cafe, and wandered down the streets peering into the different stalls. Oh Notting Hill, how I miss thee.

So what did I think of London? How could I possibly put 4 amazing months into words? I love London. I miss London. That's all I can really say.

St. Pauls

After a stressful MOA presentation, I treated my self to a more relaxing afternoon at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

I like cathedrals. They are large, beautiful and give off a sense of peace, yet I paid 8 pounds to get into St. Paul’s (and that was the student price). Now my question is, "Is it okay that a church charge for entry?"

My 8 pounds got me into the church, the crypt and the galleries that stretched 530 feet in the air. I saw the Whispering Gallery, where a whisper can be carried 32 meters to the other side, and an amazing view of London. But 8 pounds to enter a place of worship?

Obviously they need to keep up the church, keep it clean, restore it, make sure the 530 steps to the top are safe, but is charging people the right way to do it? I mean churches are places of refuge, right? Maybe they could have just charged for the climb or at least not charged anywhere near to 8 pounds. Or maybe it should have been free. That's a thought. Oh well, I joined the masses and paid my 8 pounds and enjoyed the climb and especially the view.

Oh and that’s me in front of St. Paul’s.

Is it Worth it?

After two weeks of sight-seeing in London (plus a little bit of Dublin), I’ve seen my fair share of touristy sights. So I’ve come up with the question of “Is it worth it?” Is it worth to brave the crowds, stand in the queues and pay a large sum of money (made even worse by the terrible dollar/pound exchange rate)? So here are my reviews.

Tower of London
A hefty 15 pound sum and you can wander around the Tower of London for an afternoon. It’s filled with history, legends and people. If you like history I say go for it, and you perhaps you should do it once in your life. Yet be aware of one thing. I thought it was pretty badly marked, there is no set path for you to follow and very little info posted at each sight. Avoid this problem by spending lots more money on a guide book (seriously can’t anything be included these days?), getting an audio guide, or joining up with one of the free, but filled people tours, as soon as you walk in.

London Eye
For the normal price of 13 pounds, you can get a ticket to ride this giant Ferris wheel opened for the Millennium celebrations. Not only do you get a 30 minute “flight” you also get to queue for 30 minutes as well! Oh joy! Save money and time by getting your tickets on line. The views are amazing I will admit and its a lot of fun being up that high, but I also here you can get the same effect from St. Paul’s, Tower Bridge or Primrose Hill.

London Aquarium
Not worth the money. No matter how much you like fish and sharks, I felt like all you paid for was the chance to pet a stingray and is 11 pounds really worth it?


Tower Bridge Exhibition
More amazing views of London and info on how the Tower Bridge was built and how it works. One of the cheaper things to do (5.50 pounds), you could substitute this for the London Eye.

Churchill War Rooms and Museum
Like Churchill? Like the thought of bunkers and secret plans? Then come here and bring your 11 pounds and spend the day in the past.


Changing of The Guards
Lots of people, a little bit of marching and music? Being squished against a gate? Never again I say, though it was free, but hey time is money. Only worth if it you get to see the Queen drive out of the Palace, which is highly unlikely, unless you are one of those lucky few.