London in winter

Despite all the complications and misunderstandings and frustrations, we finally made it to the big city. Hello London! It wasn't all that - mostly because it was freezing, the snow was so heavy we were covered head to toe in whiteness and couldn't see past our feet, the trains were delayed all the time, and we were basically stressed out trying to make it to the coach to get home in time. But other than that, it was cool to visit the capital of England and see the sights.

First stop - our hostel. After extensive online research about which hostel was the best for the lowest price without bed bugs or dirty toilets, we found this hostel by Hyde Park. It looked kind of sketchy from the outside, and we got hit on by creepy Pakistani guys, and it also looked really dirty inside, but the room itself was fine - bunk beds + sink + mirror + friendly strangers. Can't expect too much for 20 dollars a night.

Next stop: Tube station to go exploring in London!

We went to Covent Garden because we heard that's where all the shopping action was, and it was a really pretty area.

At St. Paul's Cathedral listening to awesome carolers. 

The snow and lights outside the cathedral kind of made it look like a scene out of Narnia.

Dear Mexican Food, oh how I've missed you! You were wonderfully delicious.

We caught the evening showing of Dirty Dancing: The Musical, on a whim, and got tickets to it at more than half price off. It was awesome - the dancing, the singing, everything.

The next day, we got on the Hop on, Hop off tour, with free tickets courtesy of our friends who bought 2-day tickets but were leaving and so didn't need their second day ticket. I was so glad we got those, because it made traveling around London that much easier. Plus we avoided all the train delays.

The Dorchester - a famous and expensive hotel where all the celebs stay.

Snowy park

The Marble Arch.

Oh cheap and good Primark, I will miss you.

The flags outside the apartments represent the fact that someone of importance once lived there.

These apartments reminded me of the movie 'Love Actually', one of my favorite Christmas movies.

So much ice on the ground, it was ridiculous.

Regent Street - shopping madness.

Piccadilly Circus - we didn't get to explore the area because it was too cold, so we just looked at it from the bus.

Big Ben and the House of parliament. I may not look it, but I was freezing and shivering under my 5 layers of clothes.

The London Eye - kind of looks like the Singapore Flyer - not really a big deal.

Right outside Buckingham Palace, waiting for the queen to appear, but she never did.

Buckingham Palace has its own fountain and statues. Go figure.

Statues of Aslan are everywhere! Okay, maybe not Aslan, but lions are everywhere in London.

Icy fountain.

Buckingham Palace is huge. And yes, my outfit is ridiculous. Those grey socks and Christmas mistletoe boots were bought in London because it was too cold and wet otherwise.

I love snowy parks.

Westminster Abbey - where Prince William and Kate Middleton will be married next year! It was closed when we got there, so we didn't get to go inside. Oh well.

All in all, it was a good trip and we did get to see all the major sights in London. Plus we got back to the base and didn't miss our coach, even though we were completely exhausted by the time we got back. But now I can say I've been to London!