Breaking Up the Royal Wedding

VICTORY!!!

While studying abroad two years back, I had assigned myself a mission - to collect postcards depicting images of some of my favorite British ladies (click here to reminisce). I had acquired four out of five by the end of my stay and was desperate to track down the elusive Dame Judi Dench, but was ultimately unsuccessful…Until about a year and half later. I had completely forgotten that Liz and I stopped in to the National Portrait Gallery gift shop in November and there was Judi, patiently waiting for me. It may have taken longer than expected, but I will claim this as a victory!!

✔ Dame Judi Dench
✔ Dame Helen Mirren
✔ J.K. Rowling
✔ Kate Winslet
✔ The Queen of England

5:15 am • 11 June 2013 • 3 notes

Liz and I above London. She was the best travel buddy a girl could ask for.

11:31 pm • 24 November 2012

Pub ciders abroad.

10:37 pm • 20 November 2012 • 2 notes

Accommodations.

So Liz and I, being the frugal travelers we are, stayed in London for a week for under ₤40. How you might ask? By knowing some very generous and giving people, the biggest thanks being owed to one Marty Levenson. Liz’s dad was kind enough to let us use the travel points he’s accrued from work to stay in the Marriott Maida Vale hotel for three amazing nights of luxury accommodations and perks. Free food, drinks and lodging is absolutely the way to stay. And while we were maybe the only non-business people in the hotel, I loved every bit of it!

Our spacious room, so comfy.

The “Executive Lounge” we (undeservingly) had access to. Free breakfast and dinner every day…and free drinks!

Of course we didn’t stay in London for only three nights, so on the fourth night we moved our selves to a second location at Queen Mary University (Liz’s Alama Mater) where we stayed with the fantastic Kit Rivers. While the dorm common room was a bit different from our hotel lounge, we had a nice time and the company certainly made up for the lack of bedding (and beds).

After a night of half-sleeping on a dorm room floor, we made a third move to a hostel above The Boelyn Tavern in Upton Park, this being the only place where we paid to stay. At this point, Liz and I were fairly worn down and our first impressions of the hostel were sub-par, but the people staying with us were actually pretty awesome and that made a big difference in our attitudes. I don’t know if I’d stay there again but at least the time we did spend there wasn’t awful.

Our hostel above the Boelyn Tavern.

So thats the saga of our sleeping locations during our trip. It was a work out, moving around so much, but how can I complain about how little we spent and how lucky we are to know such generous people?!

10:19 pm • 20 November 2012 • 2 notes

Home From London.

After a week of fun in London, I am back in the U.S. I had some trouble updating from my phone after a few days so I’m behind on posting pictures, but I will be catching up soon. All I know is the week went by all too fast and I’ve started saving for my next trip already.

7:31 am • 19 November 2012

sumofmycar:

Two of a kind. @stoicpeach89

11:49 pm • 14 November 2012 • 2 notes

A view of London from the top of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

10:06 pm • 13 November 2012 • 15 notes

Today, after walking down Abbey Road, Liz and I met up with her friend Kit at St. Paul’s Cathedral. None of us had ever been inside so we committed to climbing the 379 steps to the very top of the dome. This panoramic picture, taken from the Whispering Gallery, was 259 steps up…but those were the shortest, gentlest steps we encountered. The rest of the trip was a bit more of a workout. Totally worth it though! The views of London were lovely. I can’t believe I hadn’t done it before.

9:46 pm • 13 November 2012 • 2 notes