Downtown whirlwind

I jumped on the train and headed downtown for the first time ever today! I thought I had researched all the train ticket options, so I felt prepared, but it was a little different when I got there. I wanted a "one month travelcard" which is supposed to be unlimited travel on trains, tube, buses, etc. Well it turns out you need a passport photo to get one of those. So I bought a one day travelcard which doesnt require a passport photo (was around 23 pounds because I chose all zones). I think I only needed zone 1, maybe zone 1 and 2.

On the train ride, and during the walk over (and throughout the day), I've noticed the f word is quite a common term. Interesting. I overheard a conversation where one line was "this isn't effing America, this isn't the set of Friends". hmm. It was said fairly lighthearted so I guess all is well and certainly the rest of the day/people were fantastic.

I started at Buckingham Palace, then walked down Victoria St. to Westminster Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. Then I went to Big Ben and Houses of Parliament. They were shooting a movie at Big Ben, so I got to watch a fight scene, that was cool.

I made my way up to Trafalgar Square and the London Eye. There were lots of great street performers around there that I enjoyed (dancing, magic, music, etc.) The fourth plinth is a blue rooster right now, if you're interested.

Then I went to Piccadilly, which is basically where all the top end shops are located. I walked in to a few, especially Hamley's for my daughters (toy store similar to FAO Schwartz). Then I went to Moshi Monsters headquarters for my daughter, but it was closed, not sure its even a place to visit.

I stopped for lunch and had a steak and ale pie - nice! but very very very hot, my tongue still hurts :) Oh, their apple crumb dessert was phenomenal (Garfinkels)

I walked over to the Tower Bridge and enjoyed the walk down the River Thames. At one point I overheard someone say "my phone is about to die, I might have to use my camera", which I found funny. I needed to re-charge my phone so I stopped in a Marriott to ask where any re-charging stations are, and it seemed like they had never heard of them? Maybe thats a small business to start in downtown London?

It was 8 or 9 hours of walking, so I'll rest up and see if I can do it again...