Saturday, May 17, 2014

Day 2 - Harry Potter and Tours

Today felt like our first real day in London. After recovering from yesterday’s long flight and lack of sleep, everyone felt human again today. The day started with an introduction to the traditional English breakfast. It isn't the combination of things we would expect to see on a plate in America, but everyone who tried it really loved it.


After breakfast, our day started with a stop in King’s Cross Station at Platform 9 ¾ for all the Harry Potter fans in the group. Sydney decided to take advantage of her cheerleading background and take the most epic picture that the workers had ever seen. We then walked through Green Park and went to the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. We had a great time in the sun watching the soldiers march and the band play in their large black hats. 



Next, we split up into two groups so some people could go on a Harry Potter walking tour while the others went on the Big Bus tour and a river cruise to the Tower of London to learn about its history. After lunch, we went to Trafalgar Square and met our tour guide Phil Harris, who loved our enthusiasm. He was the walking tour guide for the group that did the Harry Potter tour earlier in the day, so he already knew part of the group and loved us. He took us on a haunted tour of London and to tour the local pubs.



During the middle of the haunted tour of London, the group split into two groups again. The majority of the group continued the tour while a few others went to look into information about musicals that were showing. The musical we wanted to see was sold out for the night, so we decided to get dinner at an Italian restaurant. After dinner we explored Chinatown and a little bit of Soho. Our first experience of the London night life was very exciting. 

Connor
Senior, Criminology

Brooke
Sophomore, Commuication & Public Relations