Hey guys-

It was just a taste of the culture shock I know I will go through when returning to the U.S. I found myself accidentally replying with “si” and “grazie” at first.  Then, I would remind myself with excitement, “they can actually understand my English, I don’t need to speak Italian!”  It’s a great feeling to be able to communicate with people.  It’s something I always took for granted.

I really liked the British population.  Obviously, their accents are cool and they were generally very nice.  The downside to the UK is the pound.  I think 1.60$ ish is 1 BGP so everything is extraaaa expensive.  That made it kind of depressing when making purchases.

 Food:

I would say London’s main popular food is Fish n’ Chips!! Trust me, even if you aren’t a seafood fan fish in chips is VERY good.  It’s the only seafood dish I will eat.  If you don’t know it’s basically fried fish with French fries.  It was also another good taste of home (besides speaking English) to have such accurate French fries.  If you get a chance go to the Sherlock Holmes Restaurant.  It had very good fish and chips and was Sherlock Holmes themed of course!  The other awesome food item I had was Popcorn flavored ice-cream.  Yes, you read that right. Popcorn flavored.  I know it sounds like a weird combo but it is SOOO good.  It’s honestly better than any gelato I’ve had in Italy.  IT has little chunks of popcorn and caramel sauce in it.  It is at this well known ice-cream shop called “The Icecreamists” in “Covent Garden.”  If you’re in London, please go. You won’t regret it.

Cool things I did:

 London Eye: aka the giant ferris wheel.  It has awesome views of London.  It runs you about 19 BGP, so it’s pricey.  It’s one of those things you have to do though.

Buckingham Palace:  You can’t go to London without seeing Buckingham Palace.  Everyday at 11:30 am they have the famous “changing of the guards ceremony.”  If you want good views you need to get there at least by 10:30 because it gets VERY crowded.  If you ask me, it is cool enough just to see it, get a picture by the gates, and at least see what the guards look like.  

Westminster Abbey: Westminster Abbey is the really cool looking church right by Parliament/ Big Ben.  I believe Kate Middleton and Prince William were married there too.  I didn’t get to go inside which I am bummed about.  But I heard it’s a really cool place to go inside of.  Its about 16 BGP for an adult ticket, but if you have a Student ID you can get in for 13 BGP.  Apparently a lot of cool, historical people are buried there, including Isaac Newton, Charles Dickens, and Charles Darwin.  You are unable to go inside on Sundays, so keep that in mind.

Tower of London:  We did not go inside of the Tower of London either, because we got there only an hour before it closed and you apparently need 2-3 hours to see it all (it closes at 5:30 generally).  Just so you know, this is the priciest at 20 BGP.  It’s famous for containing the Crown Jewels.

Location: London, England