A Packed Day!!

So we headed out to London town this morning at about 10 am. We have pretty much figured out how to use the Tube (the underground railway) here. It's kinda fun and exciting, but it is known for it's pickpockets so we always have to be aware of ourselves and our belongings. I keep my purse across my body and hold onto it right in front of me. I know Grandma's you like to hear what I'm doing to be safe here :) We went and bought tickets to The Original London Bus Tour and took the almost two hour tour around London on top of the double decker bus... it was AWESOME!!! I got some great pictures and video. That was the best way for us to see everything for the first time. Then we walked through a pretty park and grabbed lunch in a little cafe. After lunch, we walked down by the London Eye, bought our tickets, then took a ferry boat down the Thames river. The boat took us right by Parliament and Big Ben, under the Tower Bridge, and down to Greenwich Square. Greenwich is on the Prime Meridian, where time starts! We meant to go to the market here, but realized once we got there the market was closing down. So we walked around a little bit, and found out that this was an extremely diverse part of the city. There were people and restaurants from just about every ethnicity I can think of. The area was also a little more run down and semi-sketchy. We didn't stay long, and found a bus back to the London Eye. Next we took our ride on the London Eye which was really pretty and had an awesome view. Parliament and Big Ben are really amazing sights, it just felt unbelievable that I was actually there. And this might sound kind of cheesy, but when we were on our bus tour going by Buckingham Palace and the palace Green Garden, I almost felt emotional because I was so happy and thankful to be in this amazing place. So that was a touching and memorable moment of myself feeling really lucky I can be here. After the London Eye, we got dinner at a nice restaurant then took the Tube home. Now I'm absolutely exhausted and need to go to bed because we have another jam packed day tomorrow. The plan is to start at Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guard, then tour Westminster Abbey, and after that head over to the Notting Hill market. Then tomorrow night we have tickets to go see the Broadway show WICKED! We have seats near the orchestra and will get dinner before the show. It was expensive (60 pounds) but I'm hoping will be well worth it. Okey I'm off to bed. Night***

On top of the double decker bus tour!

Going under Tower Bridge (which is way cooler than London Bridge)

On the walking path over the Thames River. Behind me you can see St. Paul's Cathedral to the right (look for the dome) and in front of me, which you can't see, is facing Big Ben and Parliament.

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. A little fact: Big Ben is actually the million ton bell inside the clock tower, NOT the clock (a common misconception)

The London Eye which we took our "flight" on right after I took this picture.