Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to

This is my hand. Random I know, but as someone who lives in Canada, this is an opportunity that alot of us don't get. This is my hand, on the wall of St. James Palace in London, England.

I went to London in October of 2006. I spent all of 48hrs there. But boy did I make the most of my time. I touched down and I set off running. On day one I went to Westminster Abbey, and St. Paul's Cathedral. I did the guided tour at Westminster, and the recorded one at St. Paul's. On the spur of the moment and because I had time I decided to climb the 259 steps from the ground level to the whispering Gallery. It was impressive, except that as I was in London on my own I had no one to whisper too. So I figured I had made it this far let's keep going (who knows when I would make it back. So I climbed to the Stone Gallery which is 378 steps from ground-level. Since I had made it this far I was more then half way to the very top so why stop now. Onwards and upwards I say! so a total of 530 steps later and I was at the top! I had to take breaks, use my puffer, but It was worth it and if I ever got to go again, you bet your @$$ I would be up those stairs!

I did wander around London that night looking for food. Sure enough I went in the wrong direction! Luckily I had a friend who let me play one of her board games before I went. It's called the London Game and is a map of the underground. So I did not freak out being in a new city by myself totally lost. I just looked for the metro! Found the stop and said oh, Monument that's on the circle line, It goes to Westminster abbey! I know exactly where I am! And there was a McDonald's right across the water so I can go get food! Only when I got to the door, they were just locking it! Luckily I found another one not to far away and had a very late dinner, then went back to the hostel to get some much needed sleep.
 

The next day I went on the London Eye! It is worth every penny you spend. If you book in advance make sure you get the Fast track ticket. You get to skip the Long Line! and you get a guide in your pod with you to tell you all about the city!

I then took the red bus from the eye to Madame Tussauds. This was an added bonus as I had not planned to go on the bus tour. But I had time to kill, thanks to pre planning & ticket buying. I did a whirl though Madame Tussauds and so want to go back. I think there is so much more then I saw in there. But I did find me a little Pirate booty....

I then hopped the tube to Buckingham Palace. Let me tell you. That balcony is nothing like what I thought it would be. In fact at first I did not even see it.

Please note not my picture. I got it on google. http://www.edwud.com/2010/07/26/buckingham-palace/ but really with out any banners the balcony is hard to spot. I did go in to the art gallery and saw the Queen Mothers personal Art exhibit that was on. I then walked down the Mall. That's where I touched St. James Palace! It was awesome! I at nachos in a tex Mex restaurant. Then went back to pack and sleep.


I had a whirl wind trip, It was a blast. I would do It again only next time I plan to stay much longer then 48 hours!