Just like almost every city, London was better the second day. I got over pouting that I was not in Holland anymore and set out this morning completely ready to enjoy the city with no comparisons.

We headed off and went to the National Portrait Gallery which was suggested by Ursula. I just loved this place. I really liked a portrait of an Oxford physiology professor and another of a molecular biologist who has won 2 Nobel prizes. I wrote down the names but don't have it with me at the time. All of the pictures of Princess Diana were beautiful. That woman really amazes me. I also liked the Andy Warhol of the Queen of England.

We then headed to the Broadway half price ticket booth and purchased some for Les Miserables tonight. I am very excited. We then headed toward the tower bridge. So here is an interesting tid bit: there is no actual London bridge. we have a London bridge in the USA and there is a London bridge underground station but the bridge that many people think of as the London bridge here is actually called the Tower bridge. It is very neat (see picture above).

We then got some lunch, at this point we were walking along the embankment and I really wanted to go to Paddington Station. I have the most pleasant memories of my mother reading us hardback children's books of the adventures of Paddington bear and how he goes to the sea shore and captures sea air in his marmalade jar. Although we also read a lot of Winnie the pooh, I feel especially attached to Paddington bear. So we went and guess what? there is a sculpture of Paddington in the train station. YES! picture perfect opportunity.

Katie and Haley were tired and wanting pastries so they headed off and I departed their company and went wandering about the city. I went back to the portrait gallery because I liked it so much. Then I walked the streets: It is quite interesting how many men are wearing suits. It seems everywhere guys are head to toe in real suits. Then there are the little old ladies with their cute little English accents all who I believe are on the verge of solving some dreadful murder Miss Marple style haha.

It was very sunny today and a really great way to spend a day here. I spent a lot of time exploring the London Underground, which is an intricate web of tubes and trains. Every tunnel says "Mind the Gap" so you don't fall in the hole between the train and the platform. I also considered how you would come upon the job of being the voice over for the underground information. hmmm. This is the first city in 3 weeks that I actually understood what was being voiced over the intercom. In other countries ignorance was bliss. For all we knew they could have been telling of us immanent peril such as "there is a large typhoon coming please take the children and run for the hills" mean while I am trying to figure out the best place to eat and blissfully meandering on. I figure some day far far in the future, London will be a great archaeological find. Where they find more and more tunnels which are just gold mines of information.

If I had more time I would go back through that park I went through yesterday or find my way to the country. Maybe I will come back when the dollar is not so weak. It will have to be another trip. I really have enjoyed the city today.

I will be going off to the the show tonight so I need to go and pack right now so I don't have to pack really late. I will be on my way back home tomorrow. Although this has been an amazing whirlwind of a trip I really had no idea how exhausting it would be to travel for weeks on end. I felt good this morning but I looked in the mirror and I looked as though I had been run over by a double-decker bus. Oh well catch up on sleep later enjoy the view while you can. Then I remember the Serendipity book about Cartoosh the snake and the fluffy little creatures that never wanted to rest for fear of missing something beautiful and they became so tired they were unable to enjoy the beauty around them. It has definitely been a battle to be well rested during this trip.

This has been a wonderful trip but I actually am looking forward to coming home. Sometimes I feel like I could keep traveling for months and other times I just want to see Daryl and watch a movie and hang out or curl up and read a good book . I know for everyone else it has been 3 weeks but time is suspended in a strange way while traveling. I feel like I have been gone for a lot longer than that. I feel like I have learned so much on this trip. Not only about different countries, but also about traveling and interacting with others, how important kindness to people in need is and how a smile and a finger pointing in the right direction can be so incredibly helpful. I also learned a lot about myself and my ability to deal with stressful situations and this kind of traveling challenges your communication skills as well and emphasizes personality characteristics. Me- I tend to laugh when stressed or perplexed.

I will write again when I get home and post my final pictures. Please send lots of good vibes for our return trip home.

Cheerio from the UK
~Renel