two days in quick review

Kevin and I with the Tower Bridge in the background. And, yes, we think our pose is awesome.

The Chichester Cathedral.

The statue showed me the pose. Outside of Chichester Cathedral.

Because these last two days? Have been super busy but also super awesome.

7/11/10

Chichester; London

· Early, early morning. 7:30 does not equal fun

· Met Angie, our walking tour-guide. She is old and perky and very English. Altogether adorable.

· Rode the train! Not King’s Cross, but still worthy. Went to Chichester:

o Two hours on a train; saw castles on the way.

o Beautiful little city, with buildings that were built in the 14^th, 16^th centuries. So amazing, so insane. So not-Arizona.

o There were these streets with shops on both side, cobblestone paths, and bubble-blowers sending orbs to the rainbow streamers. Insanely adorable.

o Beautiful, huge cathedral. Stunning.

o Hospital that has been around for 1200 years. They take care of the poor old. Amazing garden, awesome mission, sweet, bubbly lady. I wish I could live there!

· World Cup Final! Spain vs Holland. I cheered for Spain at Prince Albert’s Pub (so crowded I was pushing through the crowd to the table that Riley’s friend had for us; so many people). Ate chocolate and booed at appropriate moments. Also read our textbook, like the dork I am. Spain (and thus me) won. We walked home to people singing, dancing, high-fiving, and honking in the streets. Kind of magical.

· Panicked over the lack of ticket-booking for Dublin. This became a theme.

7/12/10

The City of London: Tower of London; Tower Bridge

First, fact: There is a square mile in London called The City of London. It is not the same as London. The Queen has no jurisdiction over it, but the Grand Mayor (?) does. I never knew this. Had no clue.

Today, I:

walked to the point of extreme, whine-inducing foot pain; tramped through the Old City, where there are buildings that are so old and beautiful that I have trouble believing they are real; saw St. Paul’s cathedral and was no disappointed with its grandeur; walked through narrow little allies reminiscent of the past by infinitely more adorable; brushed shoulders with the extremely well-dressed financial men; took way too many pictures; had yummy Japanese lunch; met with Kevin (!!!); went to the Tower of London; saw the White Tower, the Royal Jewels, and a few devices of torture; goofed around with the camera in a 13^th century building; walked over a pretty, very old bridge; almost-napped in a not-quite park; ate Ben & Jerry’s to fuel my journey home (!!); perfected my tubing (ha); vegged; booked tickets to Dublin, after much stress, angst, and general Marie-ness (!!!!!!!!!!!).

Anyway.

This is still fun!