So about three months back I was looking up plays online, trying to figure out which ones we should go to while we were in London. I decided on one called Birdland, which featured one of my all time favourite actors, Andrew Scott, who plays Moriarty in Sherlock. The play was absolutely amazing. His expressions, the tears, the emotions that went through all of the actors was breathtaking. I was completely in shock by how much I loved the play - I honestly think I might go see it again! Because I was sitting in front row, him and I made eye contact a lot and I was literally on the edge of my seat the whole play. I can honestly admit that i'm in absolute love with him. Anyways after the show I went to the stage doors with about 15 other people and I GOT TO MEET HIM. HE WAS SO NICE HONESTLY, I shook his hand and I asked him for a picture and he said of course and he was honestly the nicest man ever, and omg I still can't believe that it happened. Still trying to come to terms with it but here's the photo because i'm rambling now and im gonna cry again

literally best man ever. k i'm done.

The "Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour" was what we did the next day, and it was amazing. Seeing the sets were so cool. My favourite part was seeing the animatronics, but I was so captivated by seeing how they made a true to size animatronic version of Aragog (!!!) and how Lupin's werewolf was A HUMAN INSIDE A ROBOTIC COSTUME (WHAT) that I didn't take any pictures of it. There was so much art that went into this movie, it was an absolutely brilliant (but expensive) exhibit. 

Mirror of Erised Selfie (I had to!)

This was a HUGE replica of Hogwarts (as you can tell) they used it for the flying shots over the castle in the movies and then inserted the rest of the background via green screen.

My little haul from the gift shop. I got Salazar Slytherin in my chocolate frog, if you were wondering...!

xo

Okay ... I know it's been a while. Instead of blogging I've been writing in my journal everywhere I go. It's more portable.
Anyhow, here are the rest of my travels in London for the first six days!

So, a lot happened. I don't really know where to start. I guess I'll start here. My grainy photo of the underground - the coolest transport system. I think I only think it's cool because I rarely go to big cities with underground transport. Still rad.

I finally got my London travel ring! If you don't know this already, I collect rings from most of the cities I go to. The one on the left is the one I bought in London, it's two horseshoes crossed. I think it fit well, because i'm so lucky to be here, and with it being on my left ring finger I can say i'm married to London!

Hyde park sunset. Huge park, yet still completely filled with people. My feet hurt so badly after this day. But I was still very happy. Funny how that happens.

Here's the thing - I didn't like Camden Market that much. It was completely crowded, boiling hot, I couldn't eat any of the food with the allergies that I've got, and I got hit on twice just because I was looking to buy a t-shirt. Not cute.

The next day, we went to the Tower of London. This was our view on our walk there. Can we please just take a moment to appreciate the Gherkin building. Plz.

 The Tower of London was the coolest thing ever, I got to see the crown jewels, got to see the armoury (That last photo is one of King Henry VIII's battle armoury (!!!!) so cool) And the tower bridge next to it was super cool. We took a boat underneath the London bridge after that and went on the London Eye! 

The London eye was beautiful. A must do, in fact I would easily do it again and again. It really puts everything into perspective. I love walking around London, and seeing what i'm exploring from up above is inexplicable. I'm in love with this city.

Today started with a 5:30am jet lagged wake up, and then a three hour wait until dad finally woke up. We ate breakfast, and went to our favourite coffee shop in town. This city is so contrasting in different places. Hampstead is so quaint, while the Heath close by is so lush and green, and then not long away on the train you're downtown in the bustling city centre. I gotta admit that quaint does really do it for me.

We then took the tube downtown, to Westminster Abbey. I'm so glad that we went in, because it was the most beautiful building I think i've ever been in in my life. The hand carved ceilings, the beautiful stained glass windows, the history literally buried in the walls, it was everything I loved in one building. 

No photography was allowed in the building, but I did get a few shots of the outside.

We reached Big Ben next, which is right around the corner. I fell in love with this building 3 years ago and that love has never left my heart. I mean come on, look at that thing!

 We spent the rest of the day wandering around the city, went into the Tate Museum, and then we crossed the millennium bridge and then made our way home.

My day in polaroids. I've fallen in love with my polaroid camera. I love that each moment comes with a memory, knowing that I was standing there when that photo printed is so cool. I can't wait to fill my wall with these when I get home. 

I still can't believe i'm here. I truly feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

We made it.

After about 16 hours of travel, we finally made it to our hotel. I've missed this place like crazy.

 I think my favourite thing about England is how different it is to Canada, yet so similar. Little things have been throwing me off all day. Having to really look both ways when you cross the street. The fancy way people dress here even if they aren't doing anything important. Getting used to the tube system again. Pronunciation and spelling differences in public signs. Watching my dad get excited about all the new birds he's seeing. It's been almost trippy seeing everything being slightly off of what i'm used to.

 Our hotel room is small, but well updated and very cute. Jet lag has really hit me hard this trip, I woke up at 5:30am this morning. Last night as an effort to try to beat the jet lag, we went for a walk around Hampstead. 

Hampstead has honestly become a home to me, even though i've only spent about two weeks of my whole life here. I'm so thankful and grateful that I get to spend another few weeks here. I can't wait to live in England one day.