The first thing we did that second full day in England was ride on the London Eye. This is a huge Ferris wheel right next to the Thames that gives an incredible view of the London skyline. I highly recommend it to anyone who travels to London. Don't worry about getting motion sick because it moves incredibly slow, and if you are scared of heights, you really don't feel high up when you are at the top. I also suggest purchasing the fast track. There is a long line in front, so it is worth the extra money to get immediately on.
I will include several pictures at the bottom of this page of sights you can see from the top. This includes The Tower of London, Big Ben (although Big Ben was under construction while we were there), and Buckingham Palace.
After a quick bite for lunch, Dad and I then took the tube to Buckingham Palace. The weather was beautiful and clear, making it all the more picturesque. Unfortunately, we did not have time to take a tour of the palace, nor did they have the changing of the guard that day. But, we did take pictures of the front and the Victoria Memorial. I will include several pictures at the bottom as well.
Right after Buckingham Palace, Dad and I checked out of our hotel, and headed to the train that would take me to Oxford. The station was open and large with souvenir, chocolate, and coffee shops. People were sitting around reading newspaper and books, occasionally glancing up at the large black screen that announced the trains' arrivals. Dad and I sat down and guarded our four large suitcases (three being mine).
Once on the train, we accidentally sat in the "quiet zone." Dad and I began whispering amongst ourselves, but then the lady next to us rudely pointed out the "quiet" sign above us. So, we sat in silence the rest of the trip, but I was able to gaze out the window at the British landscape flying by me. We passed several farms which are far smaller than the ones you would find in Texas. But, they had nice pastures surrounded by trees with grazing sheep, horses, and cows.
After an hour, we pulled into the Oxford train station, and took a taxi to my new home. The woman who I am staying with waved us into her beautiful house, and she helped me carry my bags upstairs. The house is three stories high, and my room is at the very top. That evening, my host woman cooked us a delicious British meal, and we had a lovely talk as we began getting to know one another.
However, the next several days, I got a cold which kept me inside for the majority of that time. So, unfortunately I was not able to explore the beautiful city of Oxford until the next week.
British thing I learned:
All the public restrooms (here called the loo) have both soap and lotion by the sinks.
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