Royals Sighting!!

It was a good week in London and spring time is definitely on its way here!!!

On Monday, I explored the South Bank with my video production class.  We checked out some exhibits in the Tate Modern as well as the British Film Institute.

 

(This bridge was featured in Harry Potter!!) 

The Tate Modern

The British Film Institute 

I also enjoyed a terrific afternoon tea with some Grove City College professors, and two other girls studying abroad here this semester in the Crypt of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church!!

Tuesday, I worked on homework most of the day! (Boo...not very exciting, I know!)  But after dinner Meg, Kelsey, Mathias, and I spontaneously ventured out to find London's first Cereal Bar that opened this year!!  Located in Shoreditch, the Cereal Killer Cafe was tons of fun!! What a unique gem it was to find in London!! =)

 

On Wednesday, for my History of London class we walked around Brick Lane and learned about the history of immigration in this area of London!

This side street is also where J. K. Rowling got her inspiration for Diagon Alley! 

The Ten Bells pub is associated with two of Jack the Ripper's victims... creepy!!  

Our tour ended at what is viewed as London's best bagel shop!!  (I can confirm that... my bagel was pretty tasty!) 

Yesterday after class, I rented a bike and rode all around London!! I started out exploring Chelsea, and then rode along the Thames River into the Westminster area, past Buckingham Palace, and back through Hyde Park! It was a lovely day, and I really enjoyed spending a few hours being outside and riding through the city!!  My route ended up calculating to over six miles of biking too!  The evening finished off with a hot chocolate night with my friends here at school!

This morning, a group of us went to St. Paul's Cathedral to see the royals!!!!  There was a service to commemorate the soldiers who died in the Afghanistan War, where the Queen, Will and Kate, Harry, and Charles were in attendance.  We planned ahead and arrived early to get a good spot along the barricades outside of the church!  After waiting outside for several hours, we finally caught a glimpse of the Queen as she whizzed by in her car!!  Next Will, Kate, Harry, and Charles (along with everyone else who went to the service) came out and stood just across the road from us for about 20 minutes watching the parade pass and helicopters and airplanes fly by!!  It was very exciting to say the least!!

What a way to start the weekend!! So happy to have spotted ROYALTY here in London!! =)