The One Where I Get Lost

Yesterday was a more low-key day for me. The rest of the group had gone their separate ways on side trips and to different countries, leaving me to have a day on my own. I spent a good chunk of it lazing around and appreciating my lack of class. However, I knew that I had to get out and do something, especially in my favorite city, so I got ready and set off about mid-afternoon.

My first goal was to find the wee Twinings Teashop/Museum in the Westminster area. I remembered seeing its tiny shopfront a few years ago when I last visited, and I wanted to find it again to see what was inside (I tried to give myself side trip options that everyone else would be too extraordinarily bored with to want to go with me). Me being me, however, I decided that I could remember the seemingly straight-forward directions to the place straight off of the Tube, and I promptly got lost. I ended up wandering the Westminster area for a good portion of an hour. It was a nice walk, though!

My first in-person view of the Thames!

Somerset House. Have to go back

A UPS truck (and me, being a tourist)

These were just ridiculous. I had to take a picture.

Sweeney Todd at the Adelphi starring Michael Ball! I would love to go see it...

A posh frozen yogurt shop down some back alley. A very handsome man was handing out coupons.

All of the light posts!

I'll admit that I gave up my ridiculous wanderings and found a bus map with some clear directions on it. I made my way to the streets that looked familiar to me, and behold!

The Twinings Teashop!

I was slightly disappointed in myself to discover that it was directly across the street from the Justice Building, which was made a big deal of on our bus tour.

Gorgeous building for a courthouse!

So I went inside Twinings, browsed around, and even picked up a box of tea to two!

Me with the teapots

Rows and rows of every tea imaginable

After my Twinings adventure, I needed a bit of a break from the Westminster area. I decided to go to the place I had been waiting to go to since I arrived: Knightsbridge! And what is in Knightsbridge? Harrods, of course!

The poshest of the posh!

The highest of high fashion!

The Queen!

A Harrods window display!

The theme for the current season is the Queen's Jubilee

Ball gowns belonging to the V&A museum

Lovely

Yes, of course I went inside! But I knew a good chunk of the ladies on my trip would want to go with me, so I did not go too far or for too long. I managed to see the makeup area along with the crystal ware and house wares! I also saw (in my opinion) the best part of Harrods: its restaurants! There was a tea restaurant, a pizzeria, a wine bar, and an outrageous ice cream parlor that I must go back to. From there I went into the gift shop to pick out a gift or two for friends, and headed on my way.

The Harrods storefront! There were wee crowns of different designs in each of the front windows for the Jubilee

The nameplate

After a long day of walking, I decided to head back to Earl's Court. Becoming dangerously close to getting lost part II, I found a hidden tube station and was on my way.

I found a flower stand next to the station. I love those!

When I arrived outside of my apartment area, I met two other girls from my trip who invited me to go to dinner with them in a smaller group. We decided to go to a place called Nando's, which we interpreted to be as a nicer, Portuguese Chick-fil-a! It was delicious, and I will admit, I ordered my first ever glass of wine. It was a wee bit thrilling.

Nando's!

But we all had a nice time together. I know that I will get along with a group of people when we decide we are too lazy to walk home a block and instead take the Tube one stop over to get back! The night ended back with the Houcks, and I learned of their exciting adventures to the Collin Firth shrine Jane Austen museum. After a traumatic group viewing of the Grey's Anatomy finale, we decided that today we would explore some of the nice parks that London has to offer! It should be a lovely day. And I can already hear the football fans outside getting riled up for the big Chelsea match tonight!