london day 2
On Sunday, my London Day 2, we had time in the city in the morning, but we also had to calculate for getting to the airport, airport time, and catching flights to our next destination: Madrid! We basically packed up our things on Saturday night and left around 9:30 on Sunday morning to drop our luggage at the desk and check out. We ate breakfast at a cafe called Crumpets near our sight of the morning: Buckingham Palace.
Buckingham Palace
There was some confusion in what time the changing of the guard started, but since this happens only at certain times of the day, we had to get there to see it more than just to see the palace. We ended up sitting at the cafe to eat and then realised that the changing of the guard was at 11 rather than 11:30. We made it to the palace in time, but it was hard to find a good place to see. I imagine that even if we'd gotten there at 10:00, it could've been hard to see. The whole experience, including the crowd, added to the excitement of the event.
Our overall takeaway, though, was that the changing of the guard is much less formal and prestigious than we were expecting. It was also much less regimented than ours at the Tomb of the Unknown, for example. At Arlington, the audience is completely silent, and the guards are so uniform and in-sync with each other. The changing of the guard at Buckingham was certainly a different context, so that could've been the difference, but the band was playing pop music! There were common cars parked off to the side of the palace and the security was so relaxed. We were remembering that we couldn't really even approach the gate at the White House in D. C., but during the ceremony, traffic and staff (we assume) were entering and exiting through side gates just off the street! As the ceremony progressed, more people started to leave, so we got closer and closer to the gate to see more. Really we got to take in a lot, even from where we started.
Buckingham Palace
There was some confusion in what time the changing of the guard started, but since this happens only at certain times of the day, we had to get there to see it more than just to see the palace. We ended up sitting at the cafe to eat and then realised that the changing of the guard was at 11 rather than 11:30. We made it to the palace in time, but it was hard to find a good place to see. I imagine that even if we'd gotten there at 10:00, it could've been hard to see. The whole experience, including the crowd, added to the excitement of the event.
Our overall takeaway, though, was that the changing of the guard is much less formal and prestigious than we were expecting. It was also much less regimented than ours at the Tomb of the Unknown, for example. At Arlington, the audience is completely silent, and the guards are so uniform and in-sync with each other. The changing of the guard at Buckingham was certainly a different context, so that could've been the difference, but the band was playing pop music! There were common cars parked off to the side of the palace and the security was so relaxed. We were remembering that we couldn't really even approach the gate at the White House in D. C., but during the ceremony, traffic and staff (we assume) were entering and exiting through side gates just off the street! As the ceremony progressed, more people started to leave, so we got closer and closer to the gate to see more. Really we got to take in a lot, even from where we started.
After the palace, we didn't know exactly how we were going to get to the airport from our hotel, so we decided to just head back to the hotel area, ask some questions, and grab a snack. The cab fare to the airport is so expensive, so the concierge helped us figure out the best option to take the train to the Gatwick airport. I did this on the way into London from Gatwick, but it took a lot longer on a Friday night than on a Sunday afternoon. While waiting for the train, we enjoyed a frappe from Caffe Nero outside in a plaza, walked to the river Thames one last time, and explored an interesting little market/plaza area near our hotel and London Bridge Station.
The train left at 2:34 and was direct to Gatwick Airport Station, so the 50 minute train trip was relaxing for all of us after a crazy few days! Check in and security in the airport went smoothly, and we enjoyed a little late lunch in the airport before catching our flight to Madrid. Mom and Abby immediately noticed more Spanish at the gate for our flight. Passport control took awhile at the Madrid airport, but as usual no questions were asked and we just walked right in! We took a cab (flat rate 30 euros, regardless of luggage and passengers!) to Mom and Abby's hotel (another Hilton) in downtown Madrid, and I accompanied them to help with communicating and navigating if needed. I planned to stay the night if possible, but they wouldn't allow a rollaway. After helping Mom and Abby figure out their transportation routes for the next day- since Mom is going to a conference, I'm working, and Abby is on her own- I went back to my apartment to pack and crash.
I am so so excited to have them here in "my city" and can't wait to share the city and Spain with them this week.
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