Day 3: London

We started our day by laying out the rules for riding on the London Underground - commonly called "The Tube". We divided the group into 3 groups to make counting off easier...and quicker. We wore our red shirts today which was about the best idea we have ever had, considering how many times we were on and off the extremely crowded Tube. We first went to St. John's, Smith Square. I read it was completed in 1728...burned in 1742, struck by lightning in 1773, then destroyed again by a bomb in 1941. No worries though, we all made it out of their safely!

There we had our visit with Patrick Nichols, a former member of Parliament (MP). He talked a lot about some of the differences in our governments and also some of the similarities. Most of the students seemed to really enjoy him...Patrick Nichols seemed especially attached to having his photograph made with our group...which we did at the end - on the steps of St. John's, Smith Square.This is across the street from St. John's, Smith Square.

We started to walk towards our lunch destination, and stopped as we passed Westminster Abby. We didn't go in, since we only had about 15 minutes and it was £15 to enter. But we did take our fair share - and more - photographs. Westminster is steeped in history of the Royal Family.These adorable little girls were in the Westminster Abby gift shop. They were from a London school... I just loved their uniforms!

London, in case you haven't heard, is in the midst of a sweltering heat wave. It's been the headlines in some of the newspapers. Today it was 31 C... which is about 87 or 89 and extremely humid.

After lunch, we ventured over to Trafalger Square and also to the National Gallery. I loved how many of our delegates loved being in the gallery. Picasso, Renoir, Rembrandt, Monet... it was spectacular. The only negative part was the lack of time.Flowers are everywhere...in window boxes, hanging from baskets along the streets, in yards, in pots....Trafalgar Square...with the National Gallery in the background.Next was the Cabinet War Rooms...where Winston Churchill ran so much of the war from England while London was being bombed. This was not a big hit with a lot of our group... partly because it was so hot...and they were melting. Once they finished their audio tour, they came across the street to St. James Park which is beautiful.

The series of photos below are St. James Park.Back on the Tube to Covent Gardens....only negative part - at least according to some of our ladies - not enough shopping time! Oh well, we found a Starbucks! At Covent Gardens, there is an open air market, street performers, and many, many, many shops!This was a 'red shirt day'...

Below are photos during our dinner before going to see Wicked!
Back on the Tube...and on to the theater district to see WICKED. It was spectacular ... and since it wasn't over until 10:30 p.m., we didn't get back to our hotel until close to midnight.So there was our 3rd and last full day in London. It's been exciting...and it's been so much fun to see the complete awe on the faces of your kids... with comments like, "This is SO COOL!!!" and "I'm saving all my money to come back!"... plus, all the talk we hear between them about things they have seen and learned... well, it's an incredible experience for us too.
I'm looking forward to posting all the photographs once we get home... but I don't know how to do it...or even know if I could...so for now, just try to imagine the incredible time your kids are having!

First 2 days in London

We arrived safely and on time... a little turbulant, but we made it! We were met by our delegation manager, Amber, who we adore. We didn't go to the London Eye as was on our schedule, but went to Windsor and saw not only the adorable town,but the Queen's home, Windsor Castle. She was also home, which we knew since the flag was flying.Even the quaint town of Windsor has a McDonalds!That was a great activity to do because we all got to stretch our legs, get some sunshine, and visit with those who weren't sitting next to us on the plane.

By the time we arrived at the hotel, we had some VERY exhausted kids...and leaders. I don't know of anyone who slept a lot on the plane.

Today, we started with our guide, Doug, who was incredible with his knowledge and love of London. We were on and off of the coach. We started at St. Paul's Cathedral...being able to go inside since it was open for church services. We didn't participate because we were there at 10 and services were at 11. It's a beautiful...that's putting it mildly...cathedral.We drove all around the city seeing various sites - Westminster Abby, Big Ben, Parliament, and so much more. We learned how the original city of London was built by the Romans and was only 1 square mile...that's now the financial district. We saw some of the old city wall.

We went to Buckingham Palace...saw the changing of the guard and learned so much about what it all consists of... I've seen it several times and learned so much from Doug. Since it was Sunday, the road leading to the Palace was closed...lined with flags...and we were able to walk down the middle of it..until the marching band came out to play as they marched to the Palace. We marched right beside them all the way. It was awesome.These photos were taken from a little bridge in St. James Park.The Tucker brothers!McKennaEmma and AlfredThe Marching Band begins promptly at 11:13 a.m. every day...unless it's pouring rain!Buckingham PalaceKarlie, Lily, Vanessa, Marissa, Katie D, Emma, and Katie A...Lynne, Kristi, Aja, Karlie, LilyMcKenna, Aja, Anthony, Eloy, Maya, Mariah

After lunch at the Medieval Banquet, we walked to the Tower of London... seeing the crown jewels, the ravens, and so much more.Mariah and Emily have their picture taken with Henry VIII at the Medieval Banquet.Mariah and Emily...again!Devon and McKennaMarissa and Lily

Lynne and Judy
The Tower BridgeOur group in front of the Tower BridgeThe ravens are an important part of the Tower of London. Legend says that if the ravens ever leave, the empire will fall.
The London Eye is coming up...

Right now we're at a restaurant...for dinner...and Dustin came running over to tell me this computer was here. Today is also Mariah's birthday! How nice to spend your birthday in London...and to honor the occasion, we had a cake brought to Mariah after dinner. We sang Happy Birthday to her, and then Campbell helped cut the cake.
We made it to the London Eye...and oh my gosh, the views from it are incredible. Our delegation was divided in half for the ride. Each pod of the Eye will hold about 25 people.Walking across the bridge...Waiting in line to get on the Eye...In the Eye...

We're staying in a very nice hotel...very nice...but there are no computers...and to even make a local call, it's very expensive...so if you haven't heard from your son or daughter, that's probably why. We're at this hotel for 2 more nights so I may not be able to update this until the next hotel....

Just assume that no news is good news for now!