The sun is shining

Jill says...When we returned from Dublin, I guess you could say we were a little worn out, so we spent the night at our hotel in Bloomsbury doing laundry and hanging out. It is nice to have my entire wardrobe clean again. Yesterday we were treated to a wonderful day by my London family. In the morning we walked to the London Eye, where we met up with my aunt Julita and her classrooms (she's a teacher in London). We helped chaperone the 11 and 12 year-olds on the London Eye, which is sort of like a giant enclosed Ferris wheel (but they don't like it when you call it that). The views were amazing, and the weather was absolutely perfect for the ride. The skies were blue and only a few clouds. I was able to get some fantastic pictures. After the London Eye, we went on the London Eye river cruise on the Thames. More chances for some great pictures!

After we were through, we went on a walk around the Thames and had a lunch on a patio that faced the water. It was lovely, as they say in London. We went to the Tate Modern to view some modern art. It was, ah, interesting... We then spent the next two hours walking all the way back to the West End. I have never been so physically exhausted in my life. Finally, we were close to where we needed to be (at this time it was 6:30 p.m.), and I saw a rickshaw (a bicyclist pulls us along in a cart while we sit), and I thought, "This is perfect. No more walking." So, we get inside and pay him the 10 pounds, and he takes off through the cobblestone streets, dodging taxis, doubledecker buses, and pedestrians. Bethany and I looked at each other, and burst out laughing hysterically. We continued to laugh, or maybe I should say, Bethany laughed and I alternated between laughing and screaming. It was very funny, and exactly what we needed after a long day of walking in the sun.

We met my cousin, Cindy, at the Shaftsbury Theatre to see Hairspray. It was definitely one of the best musicals I have ever seen. I love the old theatre it was in, too. It was very ornate, and the lighting was gorgeous. By the end of the show, the entire audience was on their feet dancing and clapping. I still have the music going round and round in my head. Theatre is definitely one of my favorite things to experience in London. After the show, we walked even more to get back to our hotel. It seemed like the hotel wasn't too far away from the theatre, but I think we should have gotten another rickshaw. When we arrived back at the hotel, I was so exhausted, I could barely walk up the stairs to our room. My legs wouldn't bend. It sure was a wonderful day...

Bethany says...
I am so grateful to Jill's family who have shown us around the city of London and taken us to places we might not have gone on our own. I loved the markets that Cindy took us to on our first stay in London. The London Eye was breath taking. We were able to see the entire city of London. The cruise along the Thames River was informational as well as entertaining. Thank you Julita we enjoyed getting to spend time with your class and seeing the sights. I was amazed at the play Hairspray. The seats that we sat in were great. The whole experience was amazing. The theater itself was something beautiful. The carved decorations throughout the theater were art in their own right. Thanks to Cindy!