Friday, November 7, my Mom and Aunt Chris came to visit me in London for a week! I was very excited to see them. It is always nice to see familiar faces, but also, I got spoiled, too!! (Hence this blog title: meaning take a free meal any chance you can get, ask for extra groceries, and anything else when your family is in town visiting lol.) Thanks for that!! It was really appreciated, albeit unnecessary.
Anywho, after picking them up at the airport, we took a stroll (read: speedwalk) through Kensington Gardens. (Londoners walk fast, something that caught my mom and Chris off guard, so we had to "saunter" the rest of the week. We then went and saw Big Ben and Westminster, and rode the London Eye (the giant ferris wheel, observation thing). It was a bust. Definitely not worth it, but it was one of those things you can say you did. We went out for some delicious Indian food that night too. This trip was all about trying new things, and I don't think they were disappointed. The Indian food was well-received.
Saturday, we went to two famous markets: Portabello Road Antiques Market and Camden Market. Two great markets where you can get virtually anything. Also one of my favorite places about the city. For lunch, we had some delicious West African food -- Goat Curry!!! Yum!! Then a relaxing nap mid-way through the day, and we go out for some Pub food. Fish and Chips, Shephard's Pie, and Burgers and Chips! Also a few pints.
It's sad to say, but the rest of the days are kind of a blur. Meaning that we did sooo many things in town, that its hard to remember exactly what happened each day. But I know that on Monday, Mom and Chris sampled some delicious Haggis! Yes, that fine cuisine I had in Scotland (aka: Sheep intestines). Chris enjoyed it, didn't love it, but would eat it again. Mom, well, she wasn't that fond of it, but decided it was better than what she thought it was going to be.
On Tuesday night, we went to the London Ice Bar. My roommates also came with. The Ice Bar is exactly that -- a bar made out of ice! Everything from the bar, the walls, the chairs, and your glass are made out of ice. It is kept at -5 degrees year round. You pay 12 pounds to get in, which includes a designer (ya right) parka, mittens, and your first drink. You get to stay for 40 minutes, and by then, you're fairly cold and need to leave. It was the biggest hit of the week. Everyone had a great time there! It was just one of those things that you just have to experience and laugh about, and have a good time.
Wednesday evening, we went and saw Les Miserables on stage. It was such a great show. Plus we were sitting in the 6th row from the front on the stage level. Great seats!!!! I think Mom and Chris really enjoyed it too.
Thursday, we went to another pub and had our last meal together. My roommates came along too. After a few pints, and some delicious fish and chips, we said goodbye. The next day, they departed back to the States, arriving safely in Chicago. All in all, it was a great time!! I am so glad that they got to come and had a good time too. They got to see first hand how great of a time I am having here and see the city I love so much and call home. I am very thankful as well for all of their generosity and, yes, even their winning attitudes!! :)
Mom and I in Harrods Dept. Store: Our very own "Kessler Christmas Card" attemptNow onto this previous weekend. My roommates and I decided to go to Oxford for one night. It was just a short 2 hour bus ride, and we found our hostel. The hostel and round trip bus ticket was only 26 pounds, so very cheap!! The city was very small and quiet. But the architecture and atmosphere was really cool. We saw Oxford University which consists of about 30 different colleges focusing on different areas. The most famous is Christ Church which has a very famous church and dining hall (the one used in the Harry Potter movies). The lines were very long and it was closed for most of the day, so we didn't go in. We did however sneak into New College and climbed the mound and enjoyed their student common areas. I guess it pays off being a college student to somewhere. We also visited a very historic pub, one that is noted for its importance to literature, called The Eagle and Child. In this pub, the works of Lewis Carrol's "Alice in Wonderland," J.R.R. Tolkein's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogies, and C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia" were all written. It was a very neat place. Overrall, Oxford has a great atmosphere for a college student, but I don't see myself ever needing to visit there. We actually ran out of things to do and snuck on to an earlier bus home.
Well, sorry for this ridiculously long blog post. But one more thing: Chris, we think we found one more pound coin that was different. I know, I know, you hate the Queen!
Until next time,
Cheers!
Justin
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