These past few days have been bitter sweet. Everything I do, I think, “This is the last time I’m going to see this in a while- better take it in.” So I have taken advantage of these last moments by, what else? – doing touristy things.
Tuesday, I went to Notting Hill to see Kensington Palace (that’s where Lady Diana lived). Next to the palace, there’s a huge park- it’s absolutely beautiful and is now my favorite place in London. I sat and read for a little while before heading to High Street (the two stops are about a 10 minute walk from one another). High Street has treated me well these past few months (with a library, a Waterstone’s, and tons of shopping) and will remain one of my favorite places in London.
Wednesday was the Natural History Museum, where I learned about dinosaurs, mammals (all mammals are warm blooded, but just because your warm blooded doesn’t mean you’re a mammal), reptiles, amphibians, and fish. I also had an in depth look at natural and sexual selection (don’t ask).
Wednesday night was also the saddest night of my time here. My posy of the semester (Joe, Chuck, the Count, Alyssa, Elaine, Allie, Jackie, and B there in spirit) went out to Fulham Rd. to a neighborhood pub. We reminisced about our time here together, talking about some of the funniest moments we’ve had as a team. The boys bought us girls a bottle of wine and then had the brilliant idea of going around and making little speeches. I began the cry fest. I started talking about Alyssa and how she’s going to be my bridesmaid and just lost it- and everybody else. We were all sitting there, crying. I didn’t think I would ever get this close to a group of people and now that I have, I like it.
Anyway, Thursday I went to St. Paul’s Cathedral and had one of my best days in London. I attended a service while there and even took communion- it was very spiritual and was nice. The church was burnt down in 1666 in the Great Fire of London and rebuilt in 1675-1711. It was then destroyed by the Blitz attack in 1940 and reconstructed in 1945, where there was a Thanksgiving celebration to commemorate the end of the War. It now stands as the Nation’s Church and was where Princess Diana was married. I also thought it a great idea to climb its 530 steps (255 ft.) to the very top of the dome to get the best view of London possible. It was the most exhausting greatest idea I have ever had, but the pictures turned out great. I walked millennium bridge (Harry Potter bridge- destroyed in the 6th film), took my last few pictures and headed home (stopping by Notting Hill and High Street to drop off my library books and buy a book from Waterstone’s for the plane ride home). We went out as a group one last time, saying goodbye to Parliament and then heading over to The Anchor for one last drink in London.
So here I am, Friday morning, sitting on my bed. Alyssa and I are sitting next to each other, like we do every morning, but this morning is the last morning. I have the strangest feeling in the pit of my stomach that I can’t put into words. I had such a unique experience while here and am so grateful to everyone who influenced my trip, whether it be to help me get here or to help me enjoy my time while here. Goodbye London, I love you babe.
Love from London (for the last time),
B