More of London

Because the internet stinks here this is my post from Saturday and Sunday.

We had to be up by 9:30 to leave and so I was planning on waking up way early to shower and go out to eat breakfast, but when I woke up I looked at the clock and it was already 8:45 so in order to shower I had to skip breakfast.  I got a quick shower in and was going to blow dry my hair a little so it didn’t look disgusting but when I plugged in the hair blow dryer it wouldn’t work.  I tried all three dryers to no avail.  Little did I know until later when Eliza pointed it out that I had to flip the plug switch to make it work.  So my hair the first day in London was pretty horrendous.

We started by the Thames and then walked through a little park, the name however I can’t remember.  We then walked through Covent Gardens, which is just a place with a ton of shops.  About this time my stomach gurgles had become an annoyance so Kaylee, Cami, and I quickly bought a Ben’s Cookie before we had to meet up with the group again.  Can I just say that cookie tasted heavenly on an empty stomach.  I saw a Lauduree shop and thought of mom, so naturally I took a picture in front of it, although I’m going to wait for mom to buy some in April so I can enjoy them with her. 

We walked through the London equivalent of Broadway and Times Square and saw all the theatres.  Hopefully I’ll be going back there this week for a show.  We finished at Trafalgar Square where we were allowed to break off and do our own thing.  Courtney, Anna, Taylor, and I bought a pizza but then they made us leave because apparently it was take away.  We walked 5 blocks back to Trafalgar Square and sat and ate it there.

Taylor had to be back by 3 for a group walk that she had missed the day before so we headed back to Notting Hill.  Courtney, Anna, and I walked down Bayswater to Rymans, Boots, and Tesco.  It was a very successful trip in which I bought most of the essentials that I needed.  Not only did I make that trip once, but also I made it twice last night just to get out and about with some girls. 

At 7:30 we met with a bishop and a high councilman to receive our ward assignments.  After that I was invited to go see Big Ben at night which I should’ve done but it was late and I was hungry so I went with some girls instead to some random waffle place which was pretty good.  We had no idea what we were supposed to do though once inside the restaurant so it was a learning experience for all of us.

I’m assigned to the Clapham Common Ward with Matt, Ashley, and Caitie.  To get there I have to take the Circle Line train from the Notting Hill Gate station to the Victoria station where I then catch a train to Wandsworth Common and then walk two minutes away.  Don’t worry mom, it’s a really nice neighborhood!  I’m not worried about safety at all, especially since Matt is with us.  Since today was fast and testimony meeting I was lucky enough to bare my testimony.  It was kind of daunting but I’m glad I did it.  Our bishop’s name is Christopher Cooke. Look him up on YouTube under the Mormon Messages cause he has one.  The ward members are really nice and welcoming.  I got assigned to the Young Women’s with Ashley.  The Young Women’s President Karol is adorable and she has the cutest little toddler named Felix.  The girls in the Young Women are really sweet and excited to have us there, and I’m excited to be there.

Tonight we had a fireside by President Chittock.  He was released as the Wandsworth Stake President a couple years ago.  He just talked about our ward assignments.  I was kind of surprised he didn't talk about a gospel topic.  He's also taking us on some hike in a couple of weeks, I'm super excited for that.

Matt, Ivy, Shelby, and I on the side of the Thames with the
Tower of London and the London Eye behind us

Caitie, me, and Cami at Covent Gardens

Courtney, me, Taylor, and Anna at Trafalgar Square

Random waffle dinner which was really delicious