London

Yesterday was our first full day in London.  The underground subway system is the best way to get around, but be prepared.  I felt like a cow being lead to slaughter and if you get out of line your your trampled to earth.  People are on a mission here for sure.  It felt like robots programmed watching the morning commuter.  No emotion, very serious if not angry looking faces from everyone with their headphones in, moving along to get where they needed to go.  Even on the escalators going in and coming out of the subway, lined up one on every step just moving along.  

Our adventures today included the hop on, hop off service, but it took us awhile to figure out where the pickup point was outside off Waterloo station, but eventually we found. It, then we were off and running for the day. We went to Buckingham Palace first where the people were cry to say the least.  Literally thousands of people lined up to watch the changing off the guards, but then we found out it wouldn't be happening because there was an official visit happening.  From there we went around on the bus to Wet Minster Abby and spent time going through it.  What a beautiful place!  They don't allow photography inside.  Sir Issac Newton and Charles Darwin are buried in the floor inside along with many others in the tombs.  The lines moved very fast.

One major thing I learned to day is that garbage cans are very rare things in London.  We have been amazed at the trash everywhere, but then realized after packing my trash around why people litter so much.  When I asked a store keeper bout it, the reasoning was that it is a safety issue.  In the 70's Ireland would place bombs in the trash recepticals and so they were outlawed.  There are employees that do nothing but go around and pick up trash all day.   Restrooms are also very hard to find and when you do the lines are long.  I have to say my fear is I won't know how to opporate the toilet in flushing it or figure out how to use the faucets!  I know this sounds funny, but they re pretty high tech compared to ours.  Most of them wash and dry right in the sink.  You put your hand under To sense water, but then you wave your hand under the sensor and it starts blowing air to dry your hands.  Took some getting use to for sure.  

We spent some time in Piccadilly square at the end of the day, eating dinner and jut walking around.  It is much like the time square of London.  So many tourist for me.  It was nice to get back to our room.  We re tying in Air BnB places this trip.  London is the only place we are staying in a house with other people.  The host is very nice and there are usually two or three other guests each night.  Our room is very nice and comfortable.  It feels good to get back to our room at night just to relax and plan what to do for the next day.  

I will have to go back and add photos as I can't get them off my small camera, but I can off my larger camera.