Day 5: A Damper On The Trip

Most of today didn’t go to plan. I suppose that’s because we didn’t really have a plan. Our tourist itenerary consisted of one thing: see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. Were we successful? Nope.

We woke up and it was overcast, not unusual, but when we walked down the four flights of stairs from our loft apartment above Forcetta’s pizza in Shoreditch it was raining. After walking a block or two we decided we didn’t want to be wet all day so we went back and got our jackets. That coupled with not planning our route on the tube well enough had us arriving 15 minutes after the changing of the guard occurred. Though, on our way,we saw this strange procession through

Wellington Park that we thought may be affiliated. But who knows maybe the English just ride around with silly hats.

By the time we arrived at Buckinham Palace it was a pretty decent downpoor and Bethany’s leather moccasins were soaked and with them, her feet #moriahwasright. So not only did we not see the one thing we wanted to do, Bethany had wet feet. Come on London! Share your water with California and we’ll take some of their sun. I did snag a few photos of the Memorial Gates and Palace but with a water soaked lense they are a little lackluster.

We hopped on the tube at Victoria station and headed for Bond St. Bond St. is the Madison 5th Avenue of London filled with everything from Forever 21 & H&M to Gucci and CHanel. Not my choice for hotspots but again, Bethany had a shoe problem and I needed to reminded that I’m not petite enough for H&M. Ya know… so I can feel self conscious about myself the rest of the trip. Thanks H&M… Bethany got a cute skirt and shirt combo and we found some shoes at Forever 21 that, though a little big have more of a rubber sole to protect her from wetness.

We then headed to a late lunch at Carpenter’s Arms, a small pub a little less then a mile from our place. I know… we’re heading to a lot of pubs, but it’s just part of the culture here and we want to experience it. No joke, downtown around 5:00 p.m. in the business district the alleyways are full hundreds, literally hundreds, of business people drinking beers outside of pubs. It’s very unusual.

Anyways, from that point on we walked home up Bethnal Green passing the fresh fruit and vegetable markets looking to spend time with our hosts.

When we arrived at home everyone was there. Sebastian & Sandra, our hosts, as well as a fellow Air BNB guest named Kelly who works for the UN and is on an extended leave traveling the world. The conversations went from everything to world politics, the homesharing community, hosting stories and local markets. Everyone in this house is fantastic, they have truly added to our London experience.

We finished off the night at The Florist Arms for a quick pizza. It was delicious and worth the short walk. We don’t have a plan for tomorrow so we’l see where the day takes us.

Cheers,
B&B