Landing and Lugging - So I landed in London and it was 25 degrees Celsius at 8 pm, can you believe it! All I was thinking was "So much for cold and rainy England". I made my way through the bustle of Heathrow Airport to find the Heathrow Express train to Paddington Station. I seemed to find everything relatively easy as the signage was good :) As I got to Paddington Station I looked for Sarah, and found her near the Paddington Bear Statue (cute!). It was good to see her again after almost 2 years. We made our way to the underground and headed off to her house. I was so tired by the time I got there and so fed up with my luggage (the wheel broke halfway to her house - yeah we walked the whole way!). Finally I took a shower and settled on the couch for my first night in London.
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| Flying over England |
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| Waiting for the train |
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| Paddington Bear Statue at the Station |
Day 1:
Engaging encounter - Setting out on my
first ever solo journey across London to explore my surroundings, I caught a
tube from West Hampstead into the city. A little nervous at first, I double and
triple checked I was on the right tube going in the right direction. I mean what a
disaster it would be to go in the opposite direction, right? I had no place to
be in no particular time, I could've just gone with the flow. Anyway I ended up on
the right train headed in the right direction. A woman, quite exhausted from
running, entered the train. Leaning across she asked if she is in fact on the
right train. This sparked a wonderful conversation I had with Kristen from
Australia, and it was her birthday that day. What a lovely and inspiring person. She
brightened up my day as we spoke about what I am studying and her life in New
York City. She was out of the country to renew her USA visa, taking some time
off from her work as a graphic designer.
We chatted until we both reached our stop and parted ways. It was
looking like a good start to the day.
Flirty Oxford Street - The first thought of
Oxford Street as I came up for air out of the tube was…WOW! So many people, so
many shops! I think when someone described the hustle and bustle of a city they
were referring to this part of London. Tourists galore, I must say I was not a
fan. I guess if you needed to buy something or shop, it is the perfect place,
but there are way too many tourists in one place for my liking. I began to walk
down the streets, taking it all in. The tantalizing advertisements almost
entice you into entering the store, it’s like they’re calling out specifically
for you to come into their warm embrace. I must admit, as the weather couldn’t
quite make up its mind, I did seek refuge in the warmth of a few shops from the intermittent rain. Walking along the street a gentleman approached me making a
comment about my lovely blonde hair. I engaged and so started a flirty encounter
with the young man name Liam. He began to try and get me to support his charity
cause to help the children in Africa, I commented that I was a child in Africa and he laughed, but once he discovered I did not live in the UK he realised I was not
eligible. However, I asked him more about the cause and we spoke for a while
longer. Liam was a well-spoken and outgoing young man whom I can see someday
doing very well for himself, and I wish him well in his endeavours wherever he
may end up. Our brief conversation ended with a compliment about my beautiful
eyes to which I replied a great thanks and carried on along my way.
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| Oxford Street |
South Kensington - I made my way to a quieter area, the streets of South Kensington. Here I wandered around and managed to go to the Victoria and Albert Museum as well as the Science Museum. It was quite amazing to see the artifacts that held pieces of people's lives back then. All the beautiful paintings were so rich and striking even today. As I walked the halls I imagined how it must have been to live in a different era, all the things they had to over come, the crazy outfits they wore and legacies they build up. I love museums as it tells stories of people who once lived and looking at the clay pots, dresses, furniture and musical instruments you can't help feel a presence of those who have gone before you, who somehow linger in this world long after their bodies have turned to ash. It makes me wonder what will I leave behind oneday? What legacy will continue after I am gone?
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| Telephone Booth |
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| V&A Museum - artifacts |
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| V&A Museum - Stained glass |
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| V&A Museum - Arch |
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| V&A Museum - statue hall |
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| V&A Museum - Foyer |
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| V&A Museum - Painting |
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| V&A Museum - Painting |
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| V&A Museum - Flattened trumpets and trombones |
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| V&A Museum - mirror |
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| V&A Museum - Me in the painting hall |
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| V&A Museum - Hindii Goddess of Dance |
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| Black cab |
The Gracious Gardens - Feeling a little tired I walked to Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. I lay in the gardens and looked up at the huge maple trees, it was really serene. I took a walk round to the Serpentine and went into an art gallery there...it was interesting, but rather bizarre. I sometimes feel artists are just trying to be over the top and out there not to prove a point or make really good art, but just because it's expected for them to shock you. Some pieces were inspiring and interesting, but some I felt had no meaning behind them and felt out of place. I continued to explore the gardens and walked around the Albert Memorial, very grandiose.
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| Albert Memorial |
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| Albert Memorial - Massive, no? |
The day ended with me meeting up with Sarah at the church. The church had big mormon.org banners outside, I thought it was a great thing to see. I got roped into singing choir and we sang a lovely arrangement of Abide with me tis eventide to the music of As now we take the sacrament in preparation for Sunday.
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| Chapel in South Kensington |
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| Chapel in South Kensington |
Day 2:
Friday Fry-UP - Later in the evening Sarah and I went to a friends house for a Friday fry-up! We had deep fried haloumi, mars bars, snickers, and bananas wrapped in pastry dipped in nutella - YUMMY!!! It was a good evening and I met some of Sarah's friends.
Day 3:
Spiritual Rejuvenation - This was a special day for me (Saturday) as I got to go to the London Temple and do baptisms. It was a very spiritual place and I felt really good being in the Temple. While it was really rainy outside, my heart was warmed inside and I had a few really touching spiritual experiences I will cherish forever.
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| London Temple |
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| Die Boek van Mormon at the London Temple |
Zombie fever - In a completely contrast to the earlier part of the day, we returned for Georgia's (friend of Sarah) Zombie Birthday Bash! We dressed up as Zombies and had the house turned into a quarantine zone along with a Despicable Me Minion cake! We danced and had some fun, but as the party subsided we turned on Downton Abbey and enjoyed some late night British Drama.
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| Minion Cake!! - Yummy! |
Day 4:
With church starting at 1 pm, it really throws your day and you end up feeling like a nap at 4 pm! It was a really nice Sabbath with the meeting comprising of music only - no speakers! I enjoyed it thoroughly.
The evening was a night of relaxation, meaning more Downton Abbey with the girls.
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| Watching Downton Abbey like a sir! |
Day 5:
It's party all the time at Parsifal - In the evening we had another party! The house Sarah stays in is on Parsifal Road and she lives with 6 other YSA girls and they are known for their parties :) We had mocktails and a Barbecue (Braai!) on the roof...was really fun. As the sun set, the guitars came out and we serenaded our neighbours with the sweet sound of music.
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| Georgia's Birthday Cake |
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| Victorian sponge with peach filling and cream cheese icing - delish! |
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| Proud baker! |
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| Setting the mood for cake eating |
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| View from the roof of Parsifal |
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| Awaiting the cake! |
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| Singing on the roof |
Day 6:
The Heath - On my last night, Sarah and I took a walk to Hamstead Heath to look out at London from her second favourite view. I must say it was majestic. Afterwards we went for dinner at a French restaurant Cafe Rouge. The food was delicious and not too badly priced.
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| Cafe Rouge |
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| Sarah Looking at the skyline profile |
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| Skyline from the Heath |
Day 7:
