London

So I just returned from my first trip ever to Europe and spent a week in London.  I have to say overall it was great.  Although my primary purpose for this trip was work related, I couldn't pass up the chance to stay a few extra days and see the city.  Here is what I did on my trip!

• Saturday, November 5 - was a long day of traveling.  Flew from Kansas City to Chicago and then Chicago to London.  Overall the entire flying time was about 9 hours there.  By the time I got to my hotel that evening it was after midnight but I was still on Kansas City time which was 7 pm.  I did go to sleep as the travel took it's toll on me.
• Sunday, November 6 - got up early and did one of those double-decker bus tours around the city.  It was only 25 pounds (about $40).  With this it took you completely around the city with a live tour guide and got to get on and off as much as you wanted.  Since it's in the off season, your ticket counted for 2 days instead of only 1.  It also allowed you to go on a boat tour and walking tours that they offered.  I mainly stayed on the bus to get acquainted with the city but got off to see Buckingham Palace and the London Eye.
• Monday - Wednesday (November 7-9) - WORK.  We had our joint European Conference with two other associations and it went very well.  Didn't see much of the city during this point and I was also fighting off some jet lag and allergies. 
• Thursday - November 10 - Finally got to see a few things that I had been waiting for.  Went to the following:
• Tower Bridge (commonly confused for London Bridge)
• Tower of London (original castle of King Edward I, built around early 600's, this is where King Henry the VIII beheaded Ann Boleyn, and saw some of the crown jewels on display)
• St. Paul's Cathedral (beautiful church.  I always remember it from the movie "Mary Poppins' when she sings the song "Toppens a Bag")
• Westminster Abby (I got to see where many Kings and Queens were buried.  This is were royal weddings and coronations are held.)
• Buckingham Palace (again to try and see the changing of the guard.  That didn't happen but did get to walk through the garden and see the Royal Guard marching through.)
• Spent the evening in Piccadilly Circus.  (Equivalent to Times Square in New York.)
• Friday - November 11 - Did the double-decker bus again.  This time I was the only passenger on for a while and got a private tour of the city.  Spent time in Trafalgar Square for some people watching and went to the National Gallery.  Did a Harry Potter walking tour and got to see where they filmed on location for the 5, 6, and 7th movies.  I saw America Ferra (from the TV show Ugly Betty) perform the role of Roxie in the musical Chicago.
• Saturday - November 12 - spent the morning resting and packing to go home the following day.  Wondered around the city taking everything in and spent some time in Kensington Gardens.  While there I saw the palace and the Lady Diana Memorial fountain.  That evening I went and saw Les Miserables.  It was AMAZING!!  One of the top three musicals I've ever seen.  I would highly recommend it.
• Sunday - November 13 - came home!

This post and the few pictures below don't do the trip justice but it was a great time.  I'm ready to go back for another trip!

For all of the "FRIENDS" fans out there, I had to stand in my map to get my barrings!

Me in front of the famed red telephone booths.  These were everywhere.

Big Ben and Parliament

Me in front of Buckingham Palace

Kensington Gardens

The London Eye

Sign in Piccadilly Circus.  These were used for directions to attractions.  The actual street signs were on the sides of buildings.  That took a while to get used to.

St. Paul's Cathedral

Tower Bridge

Tower of London Castle

Trafalgar Square

The count down to the London 2012 Olympics!

Westminster Abby