Walking, Running, and a Standing Ovation

September 24, 2006

What a long and exhausting day. For the first time on this trip, Isaac and I made it out for sightseeing before noon! (I’ve been busy taking care of administrative stuff for school, so I’ve been up early every day, just not for tourism).

Since we never made it into Buckingham Palace yesterday, we headed over to the castle again for another shot. We got there at 11 a.m. and were surrounded by enormous crowds of people, totally lining the entire Victoria Memorial and the front lines of the castle. It turns out the changing of the palace guards was to begin at 11:30 and we’d made it just in time.

After seeing very little through the massive crowds of people (I did get to take a little video while on Isaac’s shoulders but that’s about it), we headed over to the ticket office get behind the walls of the forecourt and actually see Buckingham Palace. Much to our dismay, however, they had sold out of tickets for the entire day and were no longer selling entrance to the palace or the state rooms inside.

I guess the tourist’s season ends officially on Tuesday and everyone is scrambling to see the castle before it closes up for the season. So, once again, no Buckingham Palace. I did get this really cute bear-dressed-like-a -palace-guard doll at the gift shop, so it’s all a wash.

Feeling rather defeated by not having seen the castle, Isaac and I decided to triumph over at least one of our obstacles today. We would find a screwdriver! We bought a shelf for my room, since it has no storage otherwise, but have not been able to assemble it without a screwdriver. After two hours of searching, we were finally successful and moved onto our next goal: to find Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.

After walking and walking, and bus ride after bus ride, Isaac and I finally made it to the Globe Theatre, where we had a very nice tour and I had a very nice cry- it was moving, really. :P

We were then told about the play going on tonight, Antony and Cleopatra, and decided to stay and watch it rather than go home and do laundry. As you might have presumed, the play was wonderful- and the crazy picture-taking attempt Isaac and I made before the show was a play within itself- a nice woman behind us saved us from the misery of self-portraits and took a good shot of us both.

Feeling very unwilling to leave the beautiful theatre and all the emotions and imaginary sights it inspired in me, Isaac and I lazily walked across the Thames River and over to St. Paul’s Cathedral for a glance at the building at night.

For me, going to bed tonight is very bittersweet. I am very excited about London and the chance I have for a lot of growth this year, both personal and academic, but Isaac leaves tomorrow and our short week in London together is already over. Needless to say, I am heartbroken and maybe even a bit regretful.

Enough of that for now though. I’m sure there’ll be more in the future. Off to bed.

Cheers.

Jessica