So naturally we went out all week during class, and thursday night was no different. Except that Thursday night was the night before we left. Right. Good call on our part. We went to a bar called Kiosk (which turned out to be absolutely empty...like actually....we were the only people in there but it turned out to be a super funny picture taken by the bartender). We then ended up at a bar called the Dukes. We were charged for cover (super rare) but when we went downstairs it was a dark black light bar; amazing.
Long story short we got home at 430am and our alarms were going off at 630am to go to London. I thought my alarm was a joke. Honestly. I had no idea who was playing this joke on me, or why they were trying to wake me up, but I wanted to sleep and nothing was going to change that. Until I realized we were going to London. I got out of bed pretty damn fast.
So we spring to get ready (Paddy stayed at my place) and we busted it up to Lille Europe to take the train. Funny thing about the train to London, it makes your ears pop a lot. Like a lot. Paddy thought it was ridiculous the way I got rid of my popping ears (huge open mouth), but it worked like a charm everytime).
So Frank met us at the train station and like a gem, got us our first all day train pass (which we later discovered was the saving grace of our success this weekend). We ended up at Earl's Court where Frank was staying and instantly fell in love. It was raining (shock) but the accents and the people, I loved it. We got to Franks pad, and we needed food. He was off to work and told us to head to Frank's - a little dive around the corner across the bridge that had cheap big greasy breakfast. We were there like lightning. Franks was our saving grace. The english breakfast consisted of beans, sausages, ham, toast, eggs and the cherry on top: white coffee. I have no idea what white coffee is....steamed milk I think....but it brought us back to life every morning for the next four days.
After our amazing breakfast we heading back to the fort to put together what we wanted to see over the next four days. With our list completed, we jetted to the British Museum and the National Gallery. Naturally because we were out all night, our feet hated us and you would have thought we were both 60 year old women walking through the museum. But of course, we laughed our entire way through the museum and the day, and people watching was at its prime. We could people watch every day and every night. Easily.
So the museums were free and fantastic. We happened to see one of the funniest moments. So picture this narrow hallway and a man leans in to the glass cabinet to take a closer look, except he goes in quickly and slams his head against the case. His head not only bounces off, but it makes the loudest noise and leaves his face stain on the glass. Not only did we die laughing, but we were the only ones laughing. I could barely breathe.
So after the two museums we went to Garfunkel's for dinner where we had some London Pride beer, sausage and mash, irish stew and people watched. The perfect evening. Productive and relaxing.
The next day was a more productive one. We started of course with our English Breakfast, but this time it had a twist: fried slice. We said "yes" to everything to lets see what it is. Turns out it is deep fried bread. Weird. Delicious for the first couple bites, but the two of us struggled at the last couple. One of those things you have to try once, but you are then satisfied for life.
We then hit the London Eye, London Aquarium, Sherlock Holmes Bar and Cirque du Soleil Varekai. London Eye was amazing. We were able to see a 4D movie before hand about London Eye which was really cool, and then the ride itself lasted about 30 minutes. London Aquarium was the coolest thing yet, and we probably spent about 3 hours in there. We saw everything from sharks, rays, fish, and turtles. We were able to touc a starfish and a ray egg that never developed. Yep, we were in line to touch these things behind the four year olds, but it was super cool.
The best part of that day though, hands down was getting our picture taken. Paddy and I posed on top of a sea turtle for a picture. Not only are these pictures meant for like parents and their children, but like little little kids. But yep, we nailed that picture. Picture this: I'm holding onto the fin of the turtle and Paddy has her feet up in the air holding onto me. Epic. Thank you.
Dinner time - we went to the Sherlock Holmes bar which was really cool. We had the classic fish and chips (delicious) and some Sherlock Holmes Ale. Everything on the menu is themed around Sherlock Holmes and the interior is very old fashioned. Loved it all. Plus the group that came through for the pub crawl all dressed in costumes was pretty funny too.
So then it was back to the fort to get ready for the Cirque Show. We were to meet Frank at the Royal Albert Hall and since we didnt wanna be late, we made sure to leave 45 minutes in advance to when we were supposed to meet him. We took the double decker bus. And yes, we sat on top in the front row. Woooooo. Turns out, it takes no time at all to get there and we were super early lol but it all worked out. The show was breathtaking of course and we loved every second of it.
Funny story: so Paddy and I are watching the show, and there are these big black metal things that cover the exit signs during the show, right. Right. So in the middle of the show, the black big metal thing FALLS right in between our two chairs. I half screamed, half gasped, slash the poor guy working at our door didnt know if we were crying or laughing. We were laughing. And the old man sitting next to me, yeah, he was laughing pretty hard at us too. Nearly died, and it was super worth it to see the show.
We wake up Sunday morning and today is the big day. We have a lot to hit, so we go and get our famous breakfast (different place, but the same thing - minus the fried slice) and our white coffee and we were good to go. We hit Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the changing of the guards (which we saw the end of - it was good though - my master photography skills caught it), Big Ben, and we got last minute tickets to see JERSEY BOYS THE MUSICAL. and god was it good. We were in the very last row of the theatre, like I mean so far back they sold binoculars for 50 pents, but it was a perfect view and didnt bother us any.
After Jersey Boys, we hit up the Absolut Ice Bar. Picture the entire bar made of Ice, so cold (all relative, its -15 C but they only let you stay in there for 40 minutes because its bad for your health lol), but everything is made from ice. The glasses are laser cut and imported from Sweden (cool!) and everyone is given these fur isolated coats upon entering.
After that we hit up a chinese buffet (I know, I know) but it was super good and cheap.
Then comes the last day of our wild adventure: Monday already. We took the metro to notting hill and then were in search for cheap breakfast....we landed upon McDs. Whatever lol, it was cheap and their breakfast is damn good. Judge all you want. They still served white coffee, and really, lets be honest, that was all that mattered. So we hit up Notting Hill and walked to see all the gorgeous neighborhoods and even stopped into the "American Food" store to see what they had - we didnt know what to expect - but they did not dissapoint. He had Kraft Dinner, Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, marshmallows, A&W root beer, mountain dew, you name it - he had it!
We were then off to Abbey Road - of course - how could we miss that. And I have to say, the people who live around that block must hate tourists. There were a ton of us standing at the side trying to capture the perfect Beatles shot walking across. There were even two guys who took their shoes off to capture the perfect picture (soooo cold). But it was worth it to get "that picture".
Last but not least, the Van Gogh exhibit that was at the Royal Academy of Arts for a short time. We scrounged together our last coins and we made it. 7 rooms of his artwork and 902 of his letters he had written. Amazing and very interesting to read thats for sure. But wait - it gets better - funny story. So Paddy and I are minding our own business admiring one of the paintings on the wall, when a man beside us let one rip. I'm talking a loud, clearly defined fart. Paddy and I looked at each other and BURST out laughing. We couldnt believe it. Apparently no one else is as immature as us, because we were the only ones laughing, but thank god we were in the last room, because we had to leave the exhibit we were laughing so hard.
And that concluded our trip - we made it back to the fort to pack up our things, stopped for a quick bite to eat and we were off to the train station. we made it honestly just in time, checked our bags and we ran onto the train. we made it. phew. so were sitting all cozy in our seats, and a girl approaches us saying that i was in her seat. I showed her my ticket and said "nope, its mine too, so clearly we were double booked". Just as this is happening a younger guy comes over to Paddy and says that she is in his seat, she showed the ticket and was like crap, clearly we are double booked too. He leans over and says "Can I see your ticket quickly?"; we said sure thinking that he didnt believe us that we had his seat....and he says "You are on the wrong train." Pardon? No, no, we are not. He points through the window to the train across the track and said "Lille? That's your train right there." OH CRAP. We are half having a laugh attack, slash trying to grab our bags to run off the train. I can't even move I am laughing so hard as the train is literally 30 seconds from taking off. I grab my bag and literally dash over, Paddy just ahead of me. We make it on, screaming with laughter that we nearly ended up in Paris. Yeah, turns out the train was heading to Paris. Can you imagine? We get off expecting to be in Lille, and we were in Paris. Oh boyyyyy.
We finally grab our seat, and just look at each other in disbelief. That would happen to us.
Paddy's friend Karan was on the same train and came and got us: "Beer time on car 6".
Neither of us disagreed on that one.
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