London (part one)

I figured I would see London while living overseas, but I didn't think it would be for medical reasons. Apparently Hungary doesn't have the best health care (Eastern socialism at it's best. surprise surprise) and I knew this, but the Embassy doctor wanted all the prenatal testing done in a place where they know what they are doing. VERY civil of them. Apparently my blood work shows that my growth hormone is really low and I'm not growing like I should, so I was flown to London! I wasn't too worried about it all. I was more excited for the free trip to London!!

Everything was wonderful and the people there are marvelous, fabulous even. I only had one incident where someone pick pocketed me, but I got my wallet back from a really nice lady. Only my cash was stolen and I saw who did it. Lame, I know, but I didn't have much cash, and I didn't want it to ruin my trip. And it didn't. Though I was ticked off and wanted to toss the guy into THE GAP of the tube. (See below.)

"The Gap" underground in The Tube

Big Ben

London at night

Big Ben with The Eye in the background.

The hotel where I stayed. Can I say Ritzy? (for me anyway) It was next to Regents
Park and Great Portland Street stop on the tube. Nice.
Oh and the Hotel's name was a disappointment. I thought it was pronounced like Maleia, but it's really pronounced like Meal-ia.

Awesome buildings near where I stayed.

In my opinion, you can't go to London without seeing a show. I went to "We Will Rock You" and was blown away. I love Queen, so this was an easy one to like.

Dominion Theater.

My favorite part wasn't the finale. It was this old lady that kept standing up to dance during all the music. She must have been, like, 80 and can dance better than me. SHE stole the show.

I took a "Hop-on-Hop-off" bus tour so that I can get off and puke if I needed to. :) It was beautiful and a great way to get a well-rounded knowledge of a big city. We have done this in almost all the big cities we have been in and are grateful that I have. It was too cold to be walking around!!

Tower Bridge, not London Bridge.
Now do you know why I grabbed photos from other sites, this photo stinks. It was drizzling at one point and this was through the glass. Lame, I know.

I went to an awesome pizza place called Pizza Xpress and it was far from fast food. It was ONLY sit down and delicious.

My favorite part was that they cut out the center of my pizza and put a salad there. Perfect sized. They even gave me a my own pizza cutter. If they only knew how many times I have cut myself with a pizza cutter.

"There is no darkness, but ignorance."
Is that why you are standing like that?? You must be ignorant about how flaming you look standing that way.
oops. Maybe he just had to go to the loo. I would have to go after posing for that long.

Typical "By the groovy telephone booths that nobody ever uses anymore except to take pictures with" picture. Seriously. There was a line to take a picture with this booth. That is why someone was there to take my picture. And no, I didn't stand in line, I just offered to take a couple's picture and then I got to cut in the "queue." Sometimes it pays to be nice. Does it look like I need to go to the loo?

I just love the architecture wherever I go in Europe.

And how cute are the taxis?? I got to ride in one several times. To and from the embassy, to and from the theater, and to and from a fancy restaurant. The other times I took public (the bus or tube.) And it was really easy to get around.

And who can resist buying a Paddington bear at Paddington Station? I grew up watching Paddington Bear, so it was neat to bring home a bear and some books for the kids, though I had to explain it to them. I could easily read the expressions on their faces, "You went to London and brought back some crappy books and a bear?? Where's the candy?" Yes, I got them some Cadbury chocolate.