Being a real tourist for the day

DOUBLE DECKER BUS TOUR. it's really the thing most people think of when they think of London, those double decker buses. What I didn't know before I came here was that ALL buses are double decker, not just the funny tour buses, but the public buses as well. I've been trying to figure out the bus schedules since the tube closes at midnight, but the buses are tricky. Kelly got a map semi-recently but we just have to sit down and figure them out. Sometimes if you get lucky with the bus stop you walk by, I'll see a stop near my flat and know I can get home using that bus..but other times, not so lucky and you just sort of wander until you get lucky.

But the bus tour, we got a bit of a late start because of last night at The Rocket (a student pub in walking distance from us), but it was for the best because we were just in time for the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. 

They do a precession of the guards in a marching band type thing like the picture up there. Quite amusing to watch them go around and around. It was PACKED at the palace, and we decided we would stake out the place next time to be able to see inside the gates. So we left to hop on the bus. We met quite possibly the coolest old guy ever (besides my toothless dance partner from a few nights ago). He was in charge of making sure that the original tour buses were the only buses that pulled up in the spot that we were standing in front of. Every time another bus would try, he would shake his finger and shake his head, and believe it or not they almost always listened. 

We got off the bus near the London Eye and ate lunch at a Turkish place near the water. De-lic-oussss. walked around some more, found some funny street entertainers: 

Then went on the Thames river cruise. We got off the river cruise and headed home. The tour bus was fun, but we've learned a lot more than I thought. Randy could have been the tour guide. We knew lots of history/landmarks.

Went shopping at Primark, a cheap store here. EVERYONE has bags from primark walking around, so Barb, Kelly, and I were very excited. Then very disappointed. Picture a messier and hotter Marshall's with really trashy clothes. Sounds great right?