London - Last Few Days

[aimeekitty]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ the 30th ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The 30th was our 7th wedding anniversary. We went to Bath!

...
but it was FREEZING.
I mean REALLY REALLY COLD for us thin-blooded californians.


the Roman baths were really interesting, though. I wasn't expecting so much about ancient Rome! Mitch and I thought it was pretty amusing that what people threw as "prayers" into the pools (on pieces of metal, so they survived...) were almost always curses. And always about something very petty, like "Silas stole my cow. A curse upon him and all his family! May death rain down upon him!"
"Bob stole my toga, mortal damage unto him."






This one was one of the icebaths inbetween getting in a hotbath. (they don't let you use any of the Roman baths anymore.)


Well, so then we wanted to take this walking tour. But we had about 40 minutes till then. I tried getting a pasty.
The pasty was cold.
Aimee = Cold and ANGRY.
I decided that I was going to die a horrible death at Bath.
Mitch suggested we go in the big church, (Bath Abbey. Apparently the first king of England was crowned here and lots of other V. IMPT things.
It was warm inside!


The church was gorgeous, actually. It was really nice to just sit and be quiet for a while.
I lit a candle for my family.


Then we went on the COLDEST WALKING TOUR EVER.
Despite that though, the guy was a real hoot. I highly recommend the city walking tour if you ever go. He was a fount of knowledge and was really amusing to boot.
We learned things like "plucking a rose" (a lady needs to use the loo) and "taking my ease" (a gentleman needs to use the loo). Also learned about "hanging loos above". We also learned about some non-toilet humor things, too. (Like Jane Austen)
We made it to the Royal Crescent in an hour, by then, even our witty guide's commentary could not persuade me to continue the tour. So we stopped here and had V. Fancy Teatm at the Royal Crescent Hotel... which was staffed by slightly snooty French folk. :) It was good, but I've had better tea in LA. (gasp!) However, definitely worth it to see inside one of the houses just a bit and to warm up.


I completely ran out of camera battery at this point. ha ha...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~New Year's Eve, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

we mostly took it easy. We went to Kensington Palace. I enjoyed seeing the Debutante exhibit (since I love that time period of dresses) and seeing the in progress embroidery and 18th century gowns... gorgeous! No pictures allowed of course, though.
We also went to Harrod's and bought lots of goodies to eat for New Year's Eve.
On the way home, we saw a cute Italian place and ate an early dinner there before retiring to our hotel.

Mostly we ate cheese and chocolate while watching random British TV till the fireworks started. :)

Randomly, I learned that Tic Tac Toe is called "Knots and Crosses".

Very nice day, actually!

Here's some more random food products:


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~NEW YEARS DAY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We just took it easy. We were hoping to pop by the Churchill Museum (well mainly, Mitch was...) but due to the parade, it was hard to get to, so we just kinda decided to lark about.










Randomly, we went by Her Majesty's Theatre again (where we'd seen Phantom) so we got a couple daytime photos. What a gorgeous theatre.




We had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe
Then, since we had extra time, we went by 221b Baker Street, because I'm a big Sherlock Holmes fangirl.


That night was HAMLET at the Novello Theatre (also totally gorgeous)
I really REALLY REALLY enjoyed it. Tennant's understudy was pretty fabulous and really the entire cast was spellbinding. (Patrick Stewart was seriously scary.) If there are some good Shakespeare productions in LA sometime in the next couple years, I'd like to go. It's been a while!






I don't really do this (ie fangirl actors...) but... I really think Patrick Stewart is AWE-SOME. So I waited at the stagedoor to see if he'd sign my program book. I was third in line behind these really nice German girls. I was actually surprised that they were both (a) really clever/amusing/notscaryfangirls and (b) they were nice to me the newb American. They told me how they came there, what plays they'd liked, etc.
Bennett, Tennants understudy for Hamlet, came out pretty quickly and was really nice to all the people waiting to talk to him. And then Patrick Stewart came out. What a lovely lovely man! He was a perfect gentleman, even though you know he must tire of it. I briefly thanked him and got my program signed. :)


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jan 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today I went shopping with True Mee, Alcuin and her new London friend! Mitch hit up the Churchill Museum and the Queen's Gallery. (He didn't want to go shopping.)
True Mee and Alcuin RULE. True Mee's friend was really nice, too. We had a fun time exploring.

We went to have a pastry in Chinatown, first.
I have to say, I'm kinda surprised Chinatown isn't bigger!


Note that the strawberries are scared.


Then we randomly shopped around Regent Street, Carnaby Road (?) and various other places.

here's some random outfits I liked in H&M. Yes, yes, we have those here, but they have different stuff there!

We also went shopping in Zara, Irregular Choice, All Saints and lots of other stuff I forget. I loved that so many London girls would wear cute one piece short dresses with chunky boots and opaque tights. I liked the more casual messy hair many girls wore, too. Also liked the use of a lot of velveteen, cords and wools. You just don't see that in LA! I think it's warm and charming looking, if somewhat impractical for here.

I wanted to check out some vintage stores, still want a shiny obnoxious military coat... wanted to browse Primark, more Punkyfish, Anna Lou of London and Johnny Loves Rosie jewelry, but I just didn't have time! Maybe some other time!

While talking about shopping...
here's a few things I picked up. ^_^
The skirt on the upper left here is black velveteen. I love the full cut of it.
The London and Queen shirts are entirely silly and have sequins.

If only I could find a full-sequin Union Jack shirt! :D (do you know where I can get one??)

The teal boots at the bottom here,... True Mee and I bought matching shoes! really just because neither of us could resist the rococo over-the-top charm of them. They have little swans on the side. I could not believe they had them in my size! Now let's see if I can be brave enough to coordinate something to wear with them. These shoes are like way cooler than me. LOL.


Then I met back up with Mitch and we went to SPAMALOT.
Have to say I didn't really care for it, even though I love Quest For the Holy Grail. Like REALLY LOVE IT. Did not love the musical though. :|
Afterwards, we practically ran over to Punjab for some guaranteed yummy Indian food and called it a night.


On the 3rd, we slowly headed for the airport. Here's mitch:


We seemed to be chasing the sun as we flew home. I couldn't sleep at all, so I watched some pretty horrible movies...
but I caught this photo:


Overall? London was lovely. I'd only been to Japan before, so obviously it was easier to travel here due to the language.
I was impressed by how many of the buildings (and not just "sites") were really beautiful and well... LARGE. It's kinda like NY but on a much grander scale. (and older of course.) I think it's interesting, too, how there are so many different time periods represented. I still really love Japan though (as a place to visit.)

It did make me, in a way, appreciate LA and my hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, more... both have really great qualities to them. Like in LA you can really get a lot of awesome stuff and there are a lot of great plays and events. And Charleston is really just a truely gorgeous city. I hope I get to go home and visit again this spring.

Comments

[last-archangel.livejournal.com]

I loved Bath and the Sherlock Holmes museum so much.

And Patrick Stewart. AWESOME.

[nav.livejournal.com]

What a great entry! I think you and Mitch make such an awesome couple/team, like the kind I want for me and my boyfriend too :) I'm glad you enjoyed London, you make it look very interesting (I'm adding it to my list hahah). Love your clothes and the new shoes.. wow :D

[daitenshi-dream.livejournal.com]

That top-middle jacket is amazing! Nice find!

How far out of London is Bath? I just recently watched the Dutchess and had no idea that sort of place existed.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

it's maybe 30-50 min train ride from London?

I just watched The Dutchess, too!

[taraljc.livejournal.com]

I have not been to Bath in a million bajillion years, but now I want to go back!

I went to dinner with Pips and Becca at the pub across from the Spamalot theatre, in October. Alas, I have no pics. 90% of my snaps are all of Cardiff Bay, and the two Who exibitions.

*is geeky*

[yacoba.livejournal.com]

Loved all your pictures! I'd love to visit London one day. I was wondering if you were going to see Hamlet while you were there, I was actually a little surprised to hear about Patrick Stewart [never met him myself] but he was attending a convention I was at, and unlike the other guest you had to pay to see him. I'm glad to hear you had such a good time!

I hope you feel better soon!

[takuropop.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you enjoyed England and managed to survive the weather. We've had the coldest temperatures ever recorded for this time of year so even those of us used to it are freezing. If you ever decide to come back you should visit a restaurant called Yautcha that does macarons even better than Laudree and has a stunning variety of world teas and fusion pastries.

(a new watcher of your blog and fellow macaron fiend)

[iamchubbybunny.livejournal.com]

yaaay baath! looking at your photos made me all nostalgic-- i went there many moons ago also!

Love your finds! the jacket is JAWSOME!! And so are the shoes!! I just realized... matches the corset I'm making haha.. damn you girls an your awesome finds!!!

great photos wooo!! wish i couldve been there too! <3

[scruffyrebel.livejournal.com]

BUAH I want to go to Bath so badly...I can't believe I've been to England twice and STILL have not been able to go D:

I <3 that black jacket in that six block picture you put together, how gorgeous. Win for Patrick Stewart an WIN for Sherlock Holmes...the one thing I DID do when I was in London...I wanted to take the tall lanky guy home with me :D

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

you can do Bath in a day trip, you should go next time! I want to go back at a better temperature of the year. It'd be lovely when it's warmer.

the jacket's from Zara! It was only like 12 pounds or something! SALLLLEEEE

Yeay for SherlockHolmes fangirling. I haven't watched my fave BBC one in years, I should do that again. he's such an amazing actor.

Random thoughts

[purpleallison.livejournal.com]

That's so awesome. I want to go see London again! I didn't really get to do much when I went (eep!) 12 years ago for a between session class trip. Failing that I enjoy living vicariously through other people's photos. :)
I once saw Patrick Stewart in The Tempest in NYC a bunch of years back. He's amazing, I do agree.
Tic tac toe I think is actually naughts (as in zero) and crosses.

Re: Random thoughts

[fangedsekhmet.livejournal.com]

Yes, tis naughts and crosses.

Oh gosh, those cakes! *Dies from sugar rush*

[sakurae.livejournal.com]

LOVE the awesome stuff you bought especially that short military like jacket! Totally reminds me of Captain John's red one?

Ooh i love bath :D Did you go to the costume museum they have there? They have real silver tissue gown from around 1400 or 1500s in there they sealed in an airlocked room that you can look at. Oh you'd also love Warwick castle next time you go as it's one of the last fully standing castles you can explore.

These pictures make me want to go again so badly now! I didn't get to see any shows last two times I went so that's pretty awesome that you guys did that.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I want one JUST LIKE John's red one. not cause of TW, but just because. It's so Michael Jackson or something. WANT. But I haven't found one yet. Maybe I should just make it? but askdljasd so much work. No fun. I want to buy it.

We didn't have time to go to the costume museum sadly, we forgot they closed at like 5pm, and got there just as they were closing (sadness). but they had this silver dress at Kensington Palace... I wonder if it's the same type? it was gorgeous! 3 complete 18th cent men's suits too... one was pink and embroidered. LOL. I love that men were totally down with the pink.

we were lucky with the shows, Mitch's dad gave them to us for Christmas.

[etherealtb.livejournal.com]

I guess it being do cold made that cool steam over the baths in your pictures!

I'm jealous, I love Patrick Stewart!

[kattykinns.livejournal.com]

Firstly OMG SHOE LOVE <333

Secondly you poor things having to cope with out cold weather it's been absolutely FREEZING here lately, today is the first day here in about a week it's above freezing! I can't wait till February when I can finally experience that nice warm SoCal weather of yours <333

Totally agree about Patrick Stewart, I met him at a con last year and he was so friendly the nicest person I probably met at that con (apart from Uncle Tom Baker), he was such a gent.

I've loved all your photos, I very rarely go down to London (I'll be honest it's not my fave place) but after seeing all your photos I really want to go visit now :)

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

it was totally t-shirt weather here today (70 degrees F) lol.

Nice to hear that Stewart is typically a gentleman! :) I have a lot of respect for people who are able to keep that up. You know they must deal with all kinds of crazy folk.

Glad you enjoyed!

I died when they had those shoes in my size

[persoconchii.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry Bath tried to kill you we was freezing to death tehre only in September, but they had delicious hot chocolate... mmm. chocolate

and those are some GREAT clothes finds!

[praedestinatio.livejournal.com]

Stewart! Jealousy!

[april-art.livejournal.com]

What a fantastic trip! Thanks for sharing it... it's a wonderful way to vicariously travel for me! ^___^

I went to Bath ages ago... even too the waters in the Pump Room... Hmmm! Didn't make me sick, at least. (bleh)

'Went in the summer, though... so didn't worry about freezing my butt off! Yikes!

[arletta.livejournal.com]

Hey Aimee...how much would you say the trip costed you? Between airfare and places to stay?
I've been wanting to go to England for years but am never sure about how much I should save up so I'm not stressed while I'm there.
Feel free to shoot me an email if you'd rather not talk about that in your lj:

jessiehickman at gmail dot com

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

well, we didn't really do well on airfare, so I cant really say about that. If you are smart about airfare, or get it with frequently flier miles, then it's not so bad. but the airfare was the worst part of our trip.

We stayed in a very small (but clean) BnB near Victoria Station. mind, VERY small room, VERY small bathroom. about 60 pound a night. You can get something a little nicer for more like 80 pounds a night. Also there are some flats you can rent for about 500 a week?
it really depends on where you stay.
we got a travel pass "London Pass" I forget how much it is, but you can look it up. It includes tube fair through zones 1 and 2 and all the major London attractions/museums. Also lets you skip in line a bit at some places.

accomodations in London are similar to Tokyo, they are small and pricey.
But I'd say traveling to London, at least for me, is cheaper than Japan, because I have so many "I WANT THIS" type reactions to Tokyo... ie, I buy the fashion, I like traditional kimono, etc, etc... London had less stuff for me to spend money on. :) There are only some things that you can get there that you cant get in the states.

go at a time when the dollar is strong, obviously. Right now it's like 50 pounds = 74 american dollars.

price of food, you can get pretty good food for 5 -12 pounds.
we only really splurged for a few meals.

[svanderslice.livejournal.com]

I went to Bath too! We didn't actually go inside the church though, so your pics were really interesting. I saw Phantom in London as well, did you like it?

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

Mitch loved it! I think I like the one I saw in LA a little better, but I still really enjoyed it. (Phantom)

[yume-ninja.livejournal.com]

oh man!!! BATH
dude =*( i'm still really sad i couldn't get my card to work. i wanted to go buy so much shit at Top Shop.

[beesandbrews.livejournal.com]

You took some really fantanbulous pictures. I'm glad you guys enjoyed your trip!

[slai.livejournal.com]

Hi Aimee,

EEEEEE 8D! 221b Baker Street! Did you go into that shop next to it? I'm so jealous you met Patrick Stewart too!

I've never seen desserts with expressions on them XD!

Wow, you got Totoro hairclips in London?! Now that's AWESOME!

[shipperamy.livejournal.com]

Re: tic-tac-toe, I believe it's noughts and crosses (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noughts_and_Crosses).

I lived in England for six months in 2003; that was my intro to H&M and Topshop. I was so happy when a few years later H&M started popping up in the US. :)

[candy-influence.livejournal.com]

Mind if I steal that photo of us and the cake photos for my journal?(PROOF WE MET!)
You really did soak up the culture, didn't you!
It was great meeting you and maybe one day i'll see you in LA? (my family are talking about going to a friends wedding in november)
Bree xx

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

sure you can steal it! It was very nice meeting you! :) and yes, please say hi and have us show you around a bit if you come out to LA

[shigatsuhana.livejournal.com]

Nice shot of the Pearly Kings & Queens Parade. It's unusual to see that anymore.

It's too bad you didn't have tickets for Hamlet booked for 3rd Jan., as DT came back! I wondered about you at the time. I was in London on the weekend after New Year. But we stayed in the West side (Ealing, Westfield).

Also interesting that you didn't like Spamalot. I loved it! I guess it's not to everyone's taste. And maybe too much British/Asian humour?

I'll be on the look-out for a sequined Union Jack shirt. You are more likely to see that sort of thing in the summer. I have a t-shirt with the crown jewels with rhinestones that I bought at Buckingham Palace. It's a favourite in my collection.

Did you make it to the costume museum in Bath?

[shigatsuhana.livejournal.com]

Doh! I have now read that you didn't have time. What's the name of the shop where the strawberry cakes are? That looks like an ideal kimono meet-up place for the IG girls in the UK.

Also anti-climb paint is NASTY! The museum where I worked had it painted all over the brick wall.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry I dont remember the shop name, but it was in chinatown and had rainbow colored cakes in the shop window.

[jinyo.livejournal.com]

Aimee = Cold and ANGRY.

I guess you were close to tossing a coin into a Roman bath!
"Bastard sold me a cold pasty! Mortal damage unto his face!

Wow, bath Abbey has a gorgeous ceiling!

You met captain Picard!!!

I haven't seen Spamalot. Is it that different from Holy Grail? Or was it the stage actors that you didn't like?

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

"Bastard sold me a cold pasty! Mortal damage unto his face!"

LOL!! yes, that's what I should have done. XD

Bath Abbey was wonderful. There weren't very many tourists inside at all and you got this sort of quiet, small peace from it. We sat and listened to a prayer, which was neat, too. Nice to see more into the actual existance of the church (as they are all living churches, not just monuments)

PICARD. XD

Spamalot- to be fair, a lot of my friends (who we typically have similar opinions) liked Spamalot. I just felt like it was a cold rehash of Holy Grail with a few extended scenes. The actors were obviously very talented and charismatic... I just didn't like the content. I love the Holy Grail and have seen it tons of times.