My tour of the city started with a brisk walk along the broken and uneven cobble stone streets. We walked down a variety of streets which all encased the same Victorian style architecture, nothing like at home. As we came closer and closer to to city centre, statues of grander style peaked at us over building tops. The London eye was now in site and the grand walls of Westminster Abey was visible. We found ourselves passing beautiful parks with lush greener and wildlife.

We never spent much time at one point of our tour as my tour guide was a pretty humorously anal. We came across a crowd of hundreds of people lining Buckingham road leading up to the Palace but we had no idea what was going on. Turns out the Pope just happened to be in town on a royal visit and he was due to drive down the road at any minute! I couldn't believe it, my first day in London and I was going to see the Pope. We waited with the crowds for about twenty minutes and sure enough, the Pope came threw in his cool Pope-mobile and the crowds went wild. As soon as he had passed the crowds began to disperse and we were on our way again. Our next stop was Westminster Abey and was that ever truly amazing in scale, architecture and detail. I was not able to go in but I hope to visit for a sunday service to soak in the whole experience and atmosphere of the church.

Over the river we walked to the river landing to the home of the London Eye. Along the river were shops, buskers, restaurants and museums. The London Eye reached up into the sky, making you crank your neck up just to see the entire thing. I did not have a chance to ride it as it is a little expensive and I wanted to see more of london so that when I was up over looking the city, I would be able to identify more of what I knew for myself. I think I will go on it when Dave visits in December.

Well here I am,sitting in London England. Who would have ever thought that I would be here, exspecially this year.

My travels have brought me so many unforgetable memories and trying situations which I will stay positive through.

I started my journey on September 17th 2010 as I flew out of Saskatoon at 2:10pm. I didn't think saying goodbye to my family was going to be so difficult and tried to hold it together but not knowing when you will see them next is a difficult thing to accept so hugging for the last time, well you just don't want to let go.

My flight was actually very good. Many may know that flying isn't always a thing I handle the best but I surprised my self by keeping it together the whole way. Because I had a couple stops along the way I didn't feel as restless as the flight to Thailand. My first stop was in Toronto where I had to claim my bags and rush them upstairs to re-check into Iceland Air. Well I wish it was as easy as it sounds. I made my way to baggage claim and waited for almost an hour and some for my suitcases but for some reason they did not come with the rest of the flights luggage. Heart thumping, watching my watch I tried to keep calm as I enter the line which marked LOST BAGGAGE. I started to panic, looking at my watch and trying to figure out what to do, I needed to catch my next plane in twenty mins and the line looked like it would be an hour long. All of a sudden the baggage system started up again and the baggage line started dispersing as baggage was shot out like no ones business. I ran over scanning for any remains of my suitcases and sure enough out they popped! I grabbed them like a lumber jacket swinging at a tree, threw them on the cart and raced for the elevator to catch my plane. I made it!! Just in time to, the wonderful ladies at Iceland Air contacted the plane and explained my problem and that I would be right there. AAAhhhh fewwwfff I am in the clear, so I thought. I get to security and oooo I am the random one picked for being searched, bugger! It didn't matter, I made the flight and I was safe and sound.

Arriving in the London Heathrow airport was a surreal experience with my friend Corey Cooke waiting for my arrival. My first experience in London was the Tube! We took the elevators down underground into some weird looking tunnels, not knowing that I would be seeing so much of them on my stay. We got our selves on this tube thingy which I found to be very impressive in the layout, the timing and how easy it was to get anywhere in London.

My first impression on the landscape and the areas were seen from the tube of the copper colored roves and the sea of brick. Everyone we saw was dressed so nice so I felt like a fish out of water in my yoga pants and t-shirt, in desperate need of a shower. Corey was my tour guide as we glided across London towards Kilburn where his flat was. Corey and I would be sharing his bedroom for what I thought was going to be a couple days, but in fact turned into a couple weeks due to certain circumstances involving two other girls which I will soon get into.

London's landscape is engulfed in brick and masonry but in the most charming wonderful way. The buildings architecture is brilliant and absolutely grand! Whether it is the local supermarket, McDonald's or the Buckingham palace, the building lack no aesthetic. As soon as I set my bags down in the #15 chevington, 4 bedroom flat we were on the go again. Corey had my first day planned out, jammed packed with some of London's greatest sights. Thank god the flight went so well and I wasn't to incredibly tired because wow did I have a long day ahead of me in the best way possible. For now I leave you with my first experiences and my overwhelming sense of home in a place I considered foreign.