Day 3

So I think today I'm going to start with some observations.  Though England has designated English as the national language, there is no guarantee with the number of tourists that I am actually talking to someone who speaks English.  It is a beautiful day in London, in the 60s I'd guess.  I think that it's even somewhat hot in the sunshine, but you would be hard-pressed to guess the temperature because almost everyone is wearing winter coats.  like down coats, and polar fleece.  I'm in a 3/4 sweater and tank top and there are moments I think this is too many clothes. (Update, at about 4pm it started raining... still didn't warrant a heavy coat, but all those prepared Londoners and their umbrellas looked pretty great.)

Today I encountered my first overtly rude person.  buying my ticket for the London Eye, I asked the cashier what VAT was, as it was listed in addition to all the ticket prices.  She kindly asked where I was from, to which I answered the US.  She proceeded to laugh and that's when her kindness stopped.  I looked at her puzzled, and then point blank asked her (nicely) to not poke fun at me.  She shook her head continued laughing and then said, "everyone knows what the VAT is!"  No.  I'm afraid they don't.  She finally told me that it stood for Value Added Tax and then commented that certainly I had tax where I was from.  Again, yes, taxes, but as far as I know it isn't given an acronym.  Ugh, I feel better after saying that.  I remembered today my least favorite part about traveling alone.

Pros

• I get to do whatever I want, whenever I want, and whatever pace I'd like to

Cons

• Sometimes you have to ask someone else to take your photo so it isn't a collection of selfies
• No one to put sunscreen on your back (learned that the hard way in Cancun)
• Harder to find someone to share a conversation with

No matter, tonight is the meet and greet for the tour company, so it's only a matter of hours. (Update, actually not.  One more day.  I showed up today because my stuff says that the tour starts tomorrow.  Turns out if you are from a country far enough away to cross the time divide, then they add an extra day for fun.  Will be meting group tomorrow).

This morning I took the Tube to Hyde park, then walked to Buckingham Palace.  I had to wait a bit, but I was able to watch the Changing of the Guards.  This process was much more elaborate than I had expected.  Three bands, one on horseback arrived one after the other, then there was a little concert.  I wish I knew what songs were played, but they were not what I was expecting.  I hope that I captured some of the songs,, there was some jazz, and at least two songs I know I knew, but can't place.  One of them sounded like a hero type song, like Raiders of the Lost ark theme song kind of sound.

From there I walked to Parliament Square to check out Westminster Abbey, Parliament building, and Big Ben.  Big Ben wasn't as big as I thought it would be.  Don't get me wrong, it's freaking mammoth!  A sit down in Victoria park, then across the Westminister Bridge, and then on to the London Eye. My feet are sore but I made it to London Tower and Tower Bridge.  I tracked my routes today and I walked a just shy of 10 miles, I still have to get dinner, so there's time I'll cross that milestone.

On my way to Tower Bridge! The lift was broken, so that was all stairs that I climbed, haha.

Note: I'm not sure I will ever feel comfortable asking where the Toilet is instead of the bathroom or restroom.  I'm working on it though!  Oh!  The other phrase was "top it off" in reference to putting more money on my Tube card (called an Oyster Card).  

I hadn't planned to do anything tomorrow as I thought the tour started, but I think a visit to King's Cross and then a train ride down to Bath could be in my future!

Also for my older sister and nieces:

Look at the assortment of condiments, including at least two mustards that came with my dinner last night!