LONDON: DAY 1

24 JUN, FRIDAY:
So I finally made it to Europe!  I am so happy and excited that I'm here.  I was a bit nervous getting on time for my flight (there was an hour plus wait to check in) but I made it in good time.  The flight was... not the nicest.  I was in the very middle seat in the middle row for 10.5 hours, but I tried to sleep as much as I could.  I got a pretty good breakfast (egg and cheese with an English muffin) so that kind of made up for it.

As soon as I landed I had to go on the Underground to get to my hostel (Clink 261). I bought an Oystercard (it cost £4) but it has definitely been worth it.  A single way cost £4 but with the pass it was £1.90.  I used it A LOT and I will be going into London at least two more times where it will be useful.  Taking the Underground (the Tube) from Heathrow to King's Cross/St. Pancras was about 22 stops... which is about an hour.  It wasn't that bad though because I went on it when it wasn't that busy and I was able to see a lot of the residential areas just outside of London before it went underground.  I was also checking and rechecking my map that I had to get to my hostel.  As most people know, I can have a terrible sense of direction so I was nervous about getting lost.  When I got off the Tube I was able to get a grip on myself and find the street with my hostel (Clink 261).

The hostel I stayed at!  A 5 minute walk from King's Cross Station.

The hostel was really cool and I felt very safe there.  My one problem was the fact that I actually had to check out of my room on Saturday and recheck into another room.  It wasn't that much of an inconvenience, but definitely more of an annoyance.  I didn't feel like I could just relax for a bit, especially since I was doing a ton of walking and still hadn't fully rested from my flight.  Otherwise, the breakfast was simple but good (toast, cereal, NUTELLA) and the sheets were clean and it did it's job.  It was also really cool because it was across the street from a Ear, Nose and Throat hospital (at least that's what we call it in the US).  I thought of my brother and family all the time looking out on that. :)

The Ear, Nose & Throat Hospital right across the street!

I was able to meet up with Brittany, a friend from elementary school and high school that goes to a fashion university in London.  We had dinner at a great burger place in Covent Gardens and it wasn't too badly priced.  Then went to Earl's Court in Chelsea which is where she lives.  The area was so cute and charming and her flat is so big!  I loved it.  It was actually raining at night, but we decided to go to a couple of pubs and had a few drinks.  It was really really fun and I wished that I could have spent more time in London with her!

Brittany with me at the Troubadour Pub in Chelsea!

 It was an excellent first day in London!