a day i would like to forget...but the next one was better :)

Ok, so while I am back in Rome after being in London for 4 1/2 days (lets say)... I am going to split up our experience in different posts. I dont think anything much interesting will happen in Rome, in terms of sightseeing, but whatever is left in our trip I will also blog about. :)

Ok, so let me start with Tuesday. We were scheduled to leave from Ciampino airport early Tue morning. Around 5:30 or 6 AM. We ended up leaving on a 4 PM flight due to technical difficulties or something...but in the end I guess it worked out for the best since it was pouring while we were stuck at the airport. Once we finally got on our flight and approached the U.K., man was it a beautiful sight! not just because we had pretty much wasted our day and it was a relief to finally reach our destination, but because really, the UK is beautiful! It has a lot of trees, green pastures, flowers everywhere and it is just so nice.

Ok so we landed, got on the underground (more on that later), took a bus and finally reached our bed and breakfast for that night. We were only staying Tue night because we were going to meet up my cousin who is currently moving to Ingatestone. Ok, as I was saying, we got to the bed and breakfast (near Hyde park), found something to eat, by now it was past 8 PM and the last meal we´d had was 9 AM so as you can imagine, we were STARVED. We got our food, went back to our B&B, saw CSI: NY & Miami, and finally called it a night.

Next morning got up, got some breakfast, got ready and out we went. We once again got on the underground or the tube, whichever you prefer, and headed for Buckinham palace. Now Paula and I had to carry arund our luggage throughout the day because we really didnt have another option. So there we went on the tube draggin around our luggage up and down the stairs, going to different platforms, taking different colored lines and finally reached what I recall and believe is Green Park. Man, I havent seen such a nice park in a long time. The day was so nice - sunny and cool. Not a single evidence of my allergies in sight. So we began our short walk and when we finally reached Buckingham Palace, let me tell you it did not take my breath away. Sorry, but its true. I just went: "hmm thats it?!" I dont know what kind of expectations I had, but whatever they were, I guess I was kind of let down. And no, we didnt see the queen nor did we find a guard to tickle. Anyway, we took our pictures and continued walking. Our next stop was the Parliament and Big Ben. Now while on our way there we went through St. James Park. Ahhh, I am absolutely IN LOVE with their parks!! I dont know, there is just something magical about London and their parks. Its clean, bright, crisp, fresh, and just beautiful, really.

When I finally saw Big Ben and the Parliament, can I tell you that I let out a huge gasp followed by an "oh my, we are here! I am here!! its so cool and wow!" yeah - sounded like a huge dork, but thats how it went.

We stayed in the area about 40 mins. Just taking pictures of everything. We did see the London Eye, but a bit far. Since we stayed around Big Ben for so long, we managed to hear it strike noon. It was a special moment. Ok, so afterwards, we went to get some lunch because we were starving, again. Can I just say how delicious it was to buy a sandwich at a deli? Absolutely. Granted, her majesty was straining my budget at first with her pounds, but I realized its all relatively expensive.
Ok, so we bought our food and headed to St. James park again for a little picnic. It was nice to see other people enjoying their lunch hour just as much as we were. :)

Ok, I hate to end things so abruptly, but its getting late here in Rome and I still have to shower (we are back to guacal situation), but nevertheless, I will write another blog tomorrow about London and Ingatested. Ahhh, gorgeous Ingatested. I am definitely grateful I got to see another side of the UK.

Until next time...

Cheerio! lol...or Arrivederci!