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We made it! We arrived at the London-Gatwick airport around 7:00am (2:00am back on the East coast). We had to walk off the back off the plane since the jetway was not working and that cold London air hit us hard. It was only about 60 degrees F, but coming from Georgia where it was 90+ it was surprising. From the airport we got on board the Gatwick express (it was really cool because there was a button on the door to open it!) and it took us into Victoria station. Victoria station was pretty big; there was a life sized incredible hulk right where we entered the station...Awesome! From Victoria station we took the underground train system; two trains later we were at Piccadilly Circus, the Time Square of London. Something we noticed on the trains were that everyone kept to themselves; it wasn't like the trains back home where everyone is really loud. Also, we were packed like sardines in the trains, it's okay though. And Leigh was sneezing all over the place! Apparently hayfever is pretty bad right now. Thanks Mrs. B for the drugs. We found our hostel after walking in circles for about 15 minutes only to find out that we couldn't check in until 1:00 pm. It's time to break in our walking shoes!!! After we settle in the hostel we'll blog again, and hopefully have some of our own photos for everyone:)
We just had our first pub beers at St. James Tavern in Piccadilly Circus. It was a pretty low key type of pub, unlike many others where everyone was dressed up in suits (we were a little under dressed for those places). We walked what felt like 10 miles today...it may have been, who knows. Before we checked in today we walked through Piccadilly Circus and turned down Haymarket Street at the horses of Helios. We got a good picture of this statue. Then we took a left following the crowd and we ended up in the middle of Trafalgar Square. It was really neat; it had two large fountains and statues of King Charles and other war heros (I'm assuming they're war heroes). Around the big monument in the middle of the square were 4 huge brass lions. From the top of the square we were able to see Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. It was probably a mile or so from the square so we decided to walk to it. The whole time we were walking we smelt horses, and what do you know about 2 blocks before we got to Big Ben we saw a horse stable where sodiers were patrolling. Also from Big Ben we were able to see the huge ferris wheel-the London Eye (we may or may not go on it)- and the river Thames. Tomorrow, we plan on taking a river boat tour, which will take us to the Tower of London and across the River to see more places. Also we are taking the double decker tour bus tomorrow. At 1:00 pm we checked into our hostel, it's not bad...just like being back in college. We couldn't ask for a better location...just one street off of Piccadilly Circus. We are staying on the fifth floor of the building, so needless to say, our legs are going to be pretty strong from hiking up the stairs. As of right now, we don't have anyone else in the room with us, but that could change at any moment. Around 3:00 pm we decided it would be a good idea to take a quick power nap, since we were exhausted from the jet lag. We are hoping to catch a play before we get out of here too. Sorry we didn't have any pictures up this time, we are having some technical difficulties with uploading them onto this computer. We'll figure it out though, so bare with us. We'll post again tomorrow after some of our tours.
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