Last day in London,England

It's 5am in the morning and whilst everyone is asleep, I am having some quiet time with my thoughts and free coffee. Just thinking about what I have actually experienced since my arrival to the UK and decided to share my thoughts. 

First, I still feel like I am dreaming so, if I am do not wake me up! It's so surreal! 

Second, I am going to find out alot about myself on this 31 day trip that I didn't know or realize. No guts, no glory! 

It's weird to think that I am the foreigner. When I am asked where I'm from, I blurt out Tennessee, then I stop and think, they may not know where Tennessee is! So, I rebuttle quickly with America! 

There are a lot of runners and bikers here ESP down on the south side, and walkers are very prominent.  Even tho it's a big, big city with 4 airports there seems to be no huge rush in their daily lives compared to what I know back home. Everyone has been really nice or at least respectful !

This the London stone. 

Its origin and purpose are unknown but in 1188 there was a reference to Henry, son of Eylwin de Lundenstane, subsequently Lord Mayor of London.( Ill read more on this later. So interesting and ancient! )

 The architecture of some buildings and bridges that's on this side of the world are indescribable and the thought that some are older than America itself is absolutely astounding! 

The history side of all this is astronomical! Think about it, Our forefathers came from this side of the world on a ship called the Mayflower. 

 The diversity of cultures just in this hostel here in London alone is at the top. I have met Maria from Argentina, Tracy from Russia, Cynthia from Italy, Jim and Shanlia from Guatemala. Not just states or countries! Different Continents ! 

And to think I have only been here 2 days :))) 29 to go. 

I want to thank you all for being here and sharing in my first trans Atlantic experiences. This is My first blog experience as well so if your still here , I must be doing something right.  ;) well I'll get my day on a roll and see what I can get into today. 

Ps. I thought I wouldn't have anything to blog about! Ha! So Ill just blog when the desire hits me lol forget the every other day thing I said. As long as Wi-Fi is available ! 

London England day 2

Up Early and it was a test just to get a shower and keep my stuff dry and then breakfast with two busloads of school kids in a small room! Candy has left for the airport as she is headed to Marrakech, Morocco today so, I am left to fend for myself solo in London ! what fun!! See my new picture below LOL

No-wind, no rain and no Tube (Subway) strike will stop me from seeing Iconic London England! So, I hopped on a double-decker red bus and went all the way up to the top! Was Cheaper at 2.40 pounds one way to Victoria. 

Look ! my old timey cabs ! I love them !

Then, I walked about a mile and I went to Buckingham palace to see changing of the guard. 

So when That was over I wandered around a little bit in gift shops etc. then I took the bus back to Swiss cottage and had lunch in a cute little café. 

And since it was cold, rainy and windy I decided on a hot bowl of stew.(and  potatoes? Lol) 

And of course

But I wasn't alone! 

Now I'm just relaxing and chilling at the hostel . I filled out some postcards and doing my blog and chatting online a little bit. This is my view as I type . 

The awesome black chair in the center is my chair! 

Hey candy!  duck!! Watch out for the dwarf door ... Lol 

Just inside the dwarf door

My area is behind those closed red curtains 

Some Privacy 

And my backpack :) 

Tomorrow is another full day in London but will be traveling to Gatwick for an early morning flight on Saturday to Morrocco. 

The Trip over

First flight out of Nashville canceled, got earlier flight, still got to Chicago late, and was over an hour late to deice the plane, a huge plane,although I was in the back, it was very empty , I got to sleep across three seats with pillow and blanket. Dinner and breakfast were provided. 

Once I got to London, I took the fast train to Paddington and then a taxi right to the hostel, where I was greeted by Candy.

The tube service is on strike so, it makes for transportation to be more difficult, and a lot of extra traffic and long lines for taxis and buses. The taxis are old timey and I love it! we took a taxi to Tower Bridge area and walked about 6 miles! I got to see big Ben, Tower Bridge, a Castle, the London eye, got some fish n chips in a little crowded pub. People were waiting for the traffic to clear out some, we met a nice couple who shared our table. We went to West minister Abbey, beautiful! I was just in awe! The beauty in architecture! Old buildings, Castles, It is amazing!! Our pictures don't do it justice at all. We had just a little bit of daylight left And my phone finally died. 

I got to walk across that bridge amazing!! 

Thames river

Each bridge is designed totally different so beautiful and each bridge turns alternating colors. And there are a lot of bridges. 

The hostel room is something quite different ! We have to be really quiet with everybody sleeping and with me being short it's okay but, everything is short including the doors and low beems going across the ceiling to the floor , I think were are in the attic! I had to laugh at candy, she has to duck everywhere we go in the hostel room and she said this is a dwarf hostel LOL good thing I'm short! It is clean and very friendly.

Good night ! 

Day two

Today is my first full day here. I am sitting outside having coffee at 7am watching the sunrise from a pink sky to a purple sky to a blue sky. Candy is getting her flight to Marrakech, Morocco today, I will see her again on Saturday. 

One of the Day rooms.

My dream is close!

I have less than 64 hours to go before I head out on my first ever Europe Trip, I am backpacking for 31 days! 
Excited? Absolutely!! Nervous? yes, a little bit because of the unknown. I am so ready for this Adventure! The First 3 countries, I will be with a friend of mine Candy, then the rest of the trip I will be a Solo Traveler to do as I want!  Pictures/videos will be posted as I go, so you can take the journey with me.
The next blog post that I make will be from London, England!! 
Comments Welcome!

First stop:
 London England for 3 days! So much to do and see! I will be staying in Central London for 2 days which includes a visit to the Royal Palace and then I'll be heading over to Gatwick for my last day in London. On the way, I will visit the famous London Bridge.

Second Stop:
Marrakech. Morrocco for 5 days! I am most excited for the Culture, I have my sights on a Henna Tattoo and shopping with the Souks!

Third stop:
Barcelona, Spain for 5 days! Many places and Islands to Explore.

Fourth stop:
 Rome, Italy for 7 whole days! There is one 'can't miss' place for me to visit and that is Vatican City and a visit to see the Pope. I am staying within a 5 minute walk to the Colliseum.

Fifth Stop: 
Athens Greece for 6 days! I was upgraded to a private studio apartment for the same price of a Hostel and its right beside the Acropolis and Plaka'

Sixth Stop:
Munich, Germany for 3 days. Castles and German Beer! Enough said. (a 3 hour trip to Zurich, Switzerland may be on my itinerary pending funds ;)

7 Seventh stop:
Manhatten, New York~ USA for 2 days!  Then Home to Nashville Tn.