Thursday marathon

I managed to get up at around 8am this morning, and chatted with the only other guy remaining in my room now. He's a Japanese student here for a few days on vacation. It was interesting sharing different histories.

After I got cleaned up and out, I walked a few blocks to the post office to mail some postcards. Once I left, I noticed that it was about an hour and a half until the changing of the guard at Buckingham palace. I originally wanted to get to the zoo before the crowds, but I decided that the zoo will be there later/another day, whereas the changing of the guard won't. So, I rode the tube to St James station, noticing more tourists get on at every stop.

I showed up at Buckingham palace just under an hour before the ceremony was to start, and there was already a rediculous crowd. It was several people deep out from the fence, and oodles of people up on the elevated area around the statue in the courtyard. I managed to find a spot right behind a pillar where there was only one person, and a big pillar, in front of me. So, 45 minutes later the whole thing started. A band marched in and played some songs, some gaurds marched around in big furry hats, and shoved their guns around in various rhythmic patterns. I took some pictures and video as best I could from where I was.

As soon as that was over I rushed through the crowd to get back on the tube before everyone else. Luckily I was using the St James station, and most people use the Victoria station (since it has all the signs for buckingham palace around it). I made it to the London Zoo shortly after noon. I sprung for the extra £3 for a guidebook and map, and am kinda glad I did. The place is huge, and there's no way I could have seen everything without a good plan. I stayed until the zoo closed at 5pm. I walked by every exhibit, and watched both the demonstrations they did. I saw tigers, bears, pirahna, giraffes, and a bunch more. I took a ton of pictures and some video. It was such a nice change of pace from the tourist traps like Buckingham palace, etc. It was pretty much exclusively locals at the zoo, and was very laid back, quiet, and not crowded at all.

The zoo is on the oposite end of Regents Park from my hostel, so I took the opportunity to walk through it. It's at least a 20 minute walk, if you go straight through. I just have to say that Americans need to learn a thing or two about parks from the british. This thing was huge, well groomed, and clean. It had beautiful gardens, soccer fields with locals playing, boating ponds, and all kinds of birds and things.

The British Museum is THE most popular destination in london, with 5.7 million visitors annually. As such, I had originally thought I'd skip it. But, I found out that it's open until 8:30 (as opposed to 6pm) thurs-fri, so I thought maybe I could miss the crowd by showing up at 6:30pm. That place is amazing. And huge. It took me several minutes just to walk to some exhibits. I saw dozens of mummies, touched one of the stone heads from Easter Island, took pictures of the Rosetta stone, and so much more. Absolutely amazing. I might go back there, if I find myself with some extra time.

I got back to my hostel at nearly 10pm and realized I had been so busy I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast! So, I went out looking for something in the neighborhood, which turned out tough. The south end of Regents Park is mostly offices and things. I found one pub open, but they weren't serving food that late. The bartender pointed me to a french place on the corner, and I went down there. I instantly felt out of place, as I was in a t-shirt and jeans and had obviously been out all day, while it was a little bit of a ritzy (yet inexpensive) place. I turned on the best manners I have, and managed to walk out of there with the waitresses smiling goodbye, and the owner thanking me for coming and holding the door for me. Leaving too large of a tip helps. I just laid down £10 for the bill and headed for the door, and didn't really think until I was down the street that I had left nearly a £3 tip. So much for eating cheap!