last stop: London

note: yes, I'm already back from my trip, but I've still got 2 entries left - this one, and then a final trip summary. Enjoy!

After 8 months of adventures, misadventures, and general shenanigans, my trip is almost over (back to the real world! Gah!!). But, before heading back to the US, I had one final stop: London. I had been there in 2001 to visit friends who were studying abroad, and I'm not sure why, but I didn't really like London that much. I think It was most likely because I was annoyed about how expensive things were, and I the weather was probably crappy, too. Well, whatever the reason was then, it didn't bug me this time around (although I did cry about the exchange rate a bit), and I had a blast.

I arrived on Monday, and caught up with some friends from work who were now working in the London office (special thanks to Anu, who let me crash at her place for the week). I chilled out, wandered around London, and explored a few museums. I spent one whole day at the Imperial War Museum, which I really enjoyed. They had a fascinating set of exhibits on WWI and WWII, and it was very interesting to learn about the war from the view-point of a country that was right on the front lines. They even had an exhibit where you were in a simulated bomb shelter during a bombing raid. Quite intense.

Over the weekend I was joined by college friends (Jean and Sabrina from Boston, and Mark from Brussels), and we explored the city some more. Definitely a good weekend. So, London, I apologize for thinking bad things about you for the past 9 years, I really enjoyed my visit. Oh, and your pubs are awesome!

Pics below:

me and the London parliament building at night. Good thing Guy Fox didn't succeed in blowing it up back in the day, it's a pretty cool building!

cool statue of the London Dragon (I think it is their city symbol or something - they're everywhere!)

cool giant ship in a bottle

London phone booth. Classic!

interesting WWII propaganda posters about moving kids out to the countryside to avoid the bombings

the London Eye at night

loved this headline placement confusion. Glad to see Obama's so concerned about sexy trousers!

Sabrina was not happy to learn that Yorkies are NOT for girls. Damn sexist candy bars!

artsy night shot with Big Ben

the Elgin Marbles at the British Museum. I really liked this because when I was in Greece I heard the story about the Elgin marbles (how they had been removed from the Parthenon in the 1800s, and Greece wanted them back), so it was interesting to see the source of the debate.

you know what they say: "when in London, do as the Londoners do" - Mark and Sabrina enjoying tea and scones at high tea (the scones were amazing!)

cool night shot with a dragon silhouette