Greetings from across the Pond

It took trains, planes, and automobiles to get me here, but I have finally made it to London.  After getting lost what seems like a million times, I finally found my hostel.

My (messy) little room

I'm staying in Hammersmith, a West London neighborhood.  It's nice with parks/gardens, and loads of tiny shops and cafes.  Hammersmith is also home to Europe's largest shopping center....yay!  As well as the BBC Studios. I am only a 10 walk to the Tube, and there is a Tescos (grocery store) right around the corner.  I must say the food here is a lot cheaper than I was expecting.  So so far so good here.





Now onto my venture out into London.  I wanted to do the every-so-touristy hop on/hop off bus.  I thought "that would be a great way to see the city!"  If only I could find it.  I am finding London hard to navigate so far.  Maybe it's the jet lag mixed with lack of sleep, but my first day here wasn't as grand as I had hoped.  So I was about to just give up and searching, when I see the London Eye above some trees.  I keep walking down to find St. James Park (which I will be go back to wander through) and this: 

And the streets are lined with banner and flags in preparation of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebration next week.

The Duke of York Memorial and Big Ben itself!



One thing I find myself doing is looking the wrong way when I go to cross the street.  It weird to see cars diving on the opposite side of the road.  But the lovely British people have added a little something to help you out.  All you have to do is look down!

There you go!  Problem solved!

I must say, though, that the London transportation is maybe the best I have seen.  The Tube trains seem to arrive every minute and they are clean and comfortable.  There are bus stops a plenty, as well.  The people here are nice and helpful, not only telling you where to go, but showing you.

I promise next time I will have loads more to report, but for now, this traveller needs to get some much needed sleep in preparation for some hard core sightseeing tomorrow. So, until next time!