I actually cannot believe that I am writing my first London blog post. I have been looking forward to this trip for months and I can’t believe I’m finally here. Because of all of the travel debacle of our group getting separated, I became a part of the Dallas Eight, as Shawn has lovingly called us. So we got to the city almost a full day before the rest of our group. The Tube was actually the first thing we experienced. Jade, being our personal London tour guide showed us how to take the Tube from Heathrow to the heart of London. My first impressions of the Tube were fairly positive. I couldn’t help but compare it to the Subway in NYC. The Tube is a tad cleaner than NYC and much easier to understand. Honestly, I much prefer the Tube to the Subway.
After navigating the Tube to our hotel, the Dallas eight had dinner together at the Pub that was connected to our hotel. After that, Jade, who I have lovingly dubbed my personal tour guide, began to explore London. We didn’t take the Tube anymore that day because We had yet to collect our Oyster Cards from Shawn.
The next day, we awaited the arrival of the Baltimore 11 (the rest of our group), and upon their arrival, took the Tube to Seven Dials Market for dinner. It was on this trip in the Tube that I began to comprehend how the Tube system works. I’m sure that by the end of this week I will be a pro-Tuber. Did that sound weird? I think it did. I’m keeping it. We went to Seven Dials Market for dinner where I had some incredibly delicious pasta. Jade and I then walked around the area around the market and popped into a few vintage stores. Then it was time for our first show of the trip: The Mousetrap. I love Agatha Christie. I love a good mystery. I love a good murder. So I was very much looking forward to the show. I really loved the show. I thought it was fun and cute, and a great way to start our journey of exploring British theatre. Was it a life changing experience? No. But did I have a blast? Absolutely yes.
Today, was a very busy day. We did our first walking tour of the day. In total I think I have had 17,000 steps today. My hokas are carrying me through I’ll tell you that much. After the walking tour Jade, Claire, Sarah, Talia, and I all followed Jade around London. We “bee bopped” (as Claire called it and I’m now obsessed) around different shops and stores. Jade took us to the official grocer of the Royal Family??? I felt very out of place in my long sleeve t-shirt and tennis shoes.
But alas, now I must leave you sweet blog to see our second show of the trip: The Great Gatsby. So much love from London!
-R
Theatre in London U of A 