Windsor Castle

As expected, the pictures don't do this gorgeous castle justice.  Even though it was under overcast skies, it was still incredible.  I had bought this trip to Windsor through my school over the summer online, so I've been excited to go here!  I've heard that most weekends, the Queen enjoys spending her free time here.  We were able to walk around the outside as shown in my pictures, but there was also a part where we were able to see the apartments on the inside.  These were just breathtaking.  The dining halls and bedrooms and ballrooms that we got to see were all so huge and extravagant.  Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take pictures inside, but I wish I could have!  There was just so much to see from the chandeliers to the chairs and carpets, to the detailed architecture of the ceilings.  I can't even imagine living in a place this big.

We were able to see a few different places where the guards were posted, and every so often they would march back and forth, swinging their arm that wasn't holding a rifle, with a stern look that never left their face.  It's amazing to me how someone can do this job every single day and not get bored by it.  Shown clearly by the picture I took with the guard, they do not move, do not have facial expressions, and I'm not sure how often these guards are able to go to the bathroom and eat!  I'm assuming it is a very prideful job for them, but I would like to know more about this peculiar-seeming job!

There were various gift shops throughout the castle, just like in any other place we've toured here.  Everything was quite expensive, also as expected.  There were post cards with the royal family's pictures on them, various towels and bath soaps with Windsor Castle written on them, and even stuffed animal dogs to resemble the Queen's dog.  Overall, the pictures just speak for themselves.  It's amazing to me that this castle can be just ONE of a person's many homes.  The royal life here still amazes me.

Camden Market

This Friday I went to Camden Market!! It was such an experience, and although I was quite intimidated at first, it became so much fun to shop like this.  I've never been to a market like this, so upon walking up to it, there were huge crowds of people and tons of vendors selling various items along the streets.  Some were yelling at me to come over and check theirs out, others were focusing on a customer who seemed interested in one of their items.  There was a point where I just happened to look inside a store, and the vendor yelled "You see somesing you like?? Oh, come come!" I politely told him "No thank you" and kept moving along with Brooke and Amanda.

You can barely see it on the top picture, but there was a giant green sign which was a tent with loads of vendors underneath.  That's where we went next.  There was a very distinct smell of foreign cuisines, as it was lunch time for the vendors.  There were vendors in almost every aisle of clothing, ready to assist you as soon as you had a question or inquiry.  Inside the tent there was mostly jewelry and clothing.  The clothing consisted of anything from dresses and tank tops, to lingerie and pants.  They also had many iPhone cases for sale, as well as purses.  When we came upon a vendor who was selling sweatshirts that I liked, I stopped and had a look around.  I found a bright pink one that says "London, England" across the front.  When I asked the man how much it cost, he said "How much do you want it to cost?" The question took me by surprise in a sense, but I had also tried preparing myself for this, as I knew it was to be expected at such a market.  I said "10 pounds" just instinctively, not really having any reason behind it.  He said it was worth 15 pounds, and he wasn't so sure about my offer.  He walked away to grab a plastic bag, as if I had already agreed on a price.  He said 14 pounds.  I said "11 pounds or I don't want it."  I got the sweatshirt for 11 pounds.

I was proud of the way I was able to handle such a sale.  I never would have thought I would be good at a bargaining situation, but it made me feel accomplished because I was able to get a good deal that I worked for.  I was also checking out some small luggage, and the man said it was 30 pounds.  I realized I wouldn't have space for it on my travels back home, so I said "No thank you" and began to walk away.  He started shouting prices at me as I walked.  "25 pounds!  How about 20!!"  I just smiled and kept walking, as I knew it was all part of the game of shopping at a market.

I was able to get a few other things as gifts, so I won't share what they were here as they are surprises for certain people. :) But overall, I was extremely happy with what I paid for everything that day, and hopefully we can go to another market very soon to do some more bargain shopping.  It just made me think of my Grammy and how I know she would HATE being bothered by vendors while trying to shop.  Hopefully she reads this and if not, I can't wait to tell her how it went!

Trafalgar Square

I haven't posted much in the past few weeks, as I haven't really been traveling or doing too many exciting things where I've taken lots of pictures. It's really amazing how quickly your money goes, especially with the rising exchange rate. Just simply taking the tube so many times forces you to "top up" or add money to your card.

This weekend Brooke and I went to Regent Street to shop again, with less of a crowd than when the NFL had their events on the street. We visited the 4-floor Niketown, and simply looked in awe at everything they had to offer. We wandered in and out of a few other souvenir shops searching for gifts for friends and family, and then we headed to Trafalgar Square. While we were waiting for the tube, a woman with an accent that I couldn't distinguish came up to me panicked and asked me for directions. She wanted to know if she was getting on the correct train for where she wanted to go. When I have time to figure out where I need to go based on where I am, I can figure out which tube I need to take where, when I need to get off, and if I need to change to a different platform. As I tried deciphering first what she said, and then the tube map she had in her hand with five different stops circled on it, she was yelling at me for help. She was so panicked that as I started explaining how she could get there, she said "Nevermind!!" and ran off. It was very rude, and I didn't really understand why she would be so upset when the trains run every few minutes. I think she just needed to take a minute and figure out the map on her own. I ended up seeing her on the train that we got on, and she still looked just as frazzled and confused.

Walking from the station to Trafalgar Square, we noticed Benjamin Franklin's house, so we took pictures of it and moved on. It's so interesting that we can be walking down a random street and see something like that, which we may not have even noticed if there wasn't a huge sign explaining to us what is was. Trafalgar Square was packed with people, so we took a few pictures of that and then left.  We made it back to Richmond fine, unlike a few weeks ago when we had to retrieve my broken laptop from Brent Cross shopping centre....We completely missed the stop to Richmond and had to wait another 20 minutes for a train to go back. It was a nightmare and freezing, but this time we both paid attention and made it back in time for dinner. Today I start studying for my Psychology midterm which is on Tuesday. It will be 50 multiple choice questions in an hour. My professor told us that if we are even a minute late arriving to the exam, he will shut and lock the door on us and we will not be allowed into the room, resulting in a failing grade. I also found something interesting that he told us about the exam. He said that after the first half hour I believe, we are not allowed to ask any more questions. Maybe that is to minimize the distraction of people walking around the room. I've just never heard of such a thing. Next week we have the day trip to Windsor Castle and Eton Riverside. Pictures to come!