First Half of London, England!

Okay, so I miss Dublin already, however London is amazing as well, but all for different reasons. Dublin was cute and quaint with friendly people and just a fun atmosphere. Here in London its definitely a huge city with the rush of people and the crowds of tourists. When we first got here we arrived in the airport early (our flight was ahead of schedule!) and then explored the Underground to get to our first hostel. We stayed at a different hostel last night (the Astor Museum) then we are staying for the next few nights (the Astor Victoria) just because none were available all four nights. Both are owned by the same company and are youth and student only hostels for everyone is laid back and friendly. We have private twin (bunk) bed rooms that are about the size of a closet but its nice to not have to share a space either. We get to lock our stuff up in our own rooms now as well as opposed to the 'luggage room' with everyone else's stuff- luckily nothing have been stolen so far ;)

We have just been running out of time everyday here in London, there is so much to do and see and everything is so busy and crowded and much further apart (can't walk everywhere like in Dublin, we have to hop on and off the tube). But the first day we went to go to see Big Ben and the House of Parliament and then Westminster Abbey. However the streets were so full and there was so many big groups of tourists there that we did not want to wait in hour plus long lines (plus then play $20+) for either so we just admired them from the outside.

Wesminster Abbey

 The House of Parliament and Big Ben

We then walked across the River Thames and went to the London Aquarium Sea Life which was cool and relaxing.

Then back out onto the streets we discovered on the South Bank a festival that had street performers, art galleries out, and lots of food to be eaten! We were so amazed and just walked around for hours entertained :)

We then walked over to Tate Modern and explored the free art exhibits (one was about power and energy in the urban life- so Clark enjoyed it) and then walked to Shakespeare Globe but it was closed by the time we got there so we again just walked around to look from the outside,  We walked from there across the Millennium Bridge and walked back through the streets (saw shopping and residential areas) to our hostel. Which took us longer than I thought and so we were exhausted when we got back. But then we ate at a local chain of Italian Food  on the corner and then went back to the hostel and fell asleep instantly after dinner at about 21:00. Oops! We were wiped out!

The next morning we switched hostels and then walked along the south bank to the London Eye and went on that! Which was amazing- pictures can tell you this:

After that we were through some really cute shops and shopping areas and then walked to the Tower Bridge and went on a really neat tour inside it. Then we ran over to Tower of London but had just missed it and it was closed so we walked around the outside and took pictures. Then we ended with exploring St Pauls Cathedral and dinner in SoHo district.

 Tower Bridge

 Tower of London

Another Cathedral (Clark's camera has St. Paul's pictures on it)

Many streets and buildings are under construction here right now and it wasn't until the second day that we realized it is probably because of the Olympics being hosted here next year, But it causes even more back up on the streets and for pedestrians.

We are still not sure what to ask for when we have to use the restroom as they were just called toilets in Dublin but we have seen them as the loo and the WC water closet here.... hmmm :/

Thoughts on the tube:
It's hot (really hot down there)
It's crazy how deep down under the track go (many large stars and escalators going down and down...)
It's fast paced- people don't want you to get in their way!!!
Clark feels like a hamster running through tubes :)

Yay! Now we're off again :)
~Becky and Clark