Day 6 (with fam)- 8 June 2019

I woke up at 5am and dad drove me to the train station. I said goodbye to Mom and Susan.

Dad through out his back and I hope he's okay. He didn't need to carry my bags to the car for me.

When we got to the station I said goodbye to dad and then lugged my two suitcases and backpack up a big flight of stairs and down the other side to get to my track. It was rough and a guy helped me carry it down the stairs and was alarmed at the weight.

I got on the train fine and it had free wifi! I've decided I'm the master of finding free wifi.

I took the train from Slough to Paddington and then wandered up the elevators and lugged my luggage all over til I finally found the underground. Then I took the underground paddington to kings cross. I asked the people on the train if I was on the right one and the first one I got on was wrong so I had to run off but I eventually made i.

The ride was fine but my back was already killing me and I was soo tired and hungry.

When I got there there were more stairs and elevators. Funfact you're not allowed to bring your luggage on the escalator which is fine with me cause there is no way that was doable.

Then I walked from King's cross down Judd street to my hostel. It was a lonngg walk (15 min) and it was exhausting with luggage. I just sorta wandered there and used the little maps on the signs that are every couple of blocks to make sure I was going the right way. All I knew was the street I was supposed to walk down and the street I needed to get to. I like wandering like this. I wish we weren't so stuck to our phones and dependent on them. I got there and was able to drop off my bags in a locker for free! When I emailed they said I had to pay $3 but the website said it was free if you were staying there that night. The locker was perfect and I shoved everything in and grabbed my purse and ran for the tube.

I took the tube from Russel Square to Piccadilly on the Piccadilly line. Piccadilly was cute but empty and rainy. Then I walked to the Mall by asking cops. Eventually I made it to the mall and got against the fence and started eating but then wanted to figure out the best place to go so I wandered around the mall some more.

I saw a lady asking a cop so I went over to listen and he was pretty unhelpful and didn't really know anything and then this other American boy came over to ask questions to and we started chatting and decided to watch together.

His name is Jason and he's from Cali and is a freshman (now a sophomore) Mech Engineer student. We headed over to the Guard House and got (almost) front row on the barricades. We chatted all morning while we waited for the show to start. Our spot was perfect actually cause we got to see all the different regiments and saw them do their little formation things. We also saw the Queen! However one of the best parts was the British man standing behind us. He was an off duty cop and he told us everything about the whole event and who was who. It was awesome. He was super nice and helpful. Apparently all of the royal family is there and they come in in their regiments and the Queen sits on the little white tent. Jason's friend from his hostel adventures also met up with us. Her name is Cassidy and she is from Canada (above Minnesota) and she has traveled a lotttt. It sounds like she hasn't started college yet though and has been doing a gap year. She just did 6 months in Germany and this is her end of the trip. Cassidy leaves Wednesday and Jason leaves Tuesday for Paris.

There were about 4 or 5 band groups (in the red with the big black hat) and one horse regiment with cannons and one with super shiny armor. Then there were way more of the red coats with the big black hat. Apparently sometimes they faint and everyone walks over them. That's wild.

When it started to wrap up we ran all the way through the park parallel to the mall to the front area to see the queen wave from her balcony. It was sooo packed and everyone was very pissy and pushy. We saw her carriage go by and we were able to stand on the grass (no walking on the grass) near the flowers and see her come out to wave and then they all come out to see the flyover. The flyover was amazing. I wasn't expecting the cool planes with the colors.

Then we chilled on the grass for a bit while everything cleared out and then went over to the fountain area and took pictures in front of Buckingham.

Then we decided to go get Nando's. It was a bit farther away but I went with them anyway. We were starving and waited 15 minutes for seating. It was greatttt. I got the watermelon feta salad with chicken. Then you get all these sauces and put them on the chicken and they were all good and varying spiciness and it was great. We chatted and then this lady sat down at the table next to us and overheard us and we ended up chatting with her about England for 3 hours. Her name is Amber and she works as the financial manager for Prince Phillip, Harry, Megan, William, and Kate! That's wild! She gave us all the tips and places to go in London and what British snacks to try and such. She told me to message her if I ever need anything or have an emergency which was really nice. She told us all different candies to try and told us to have Squash (an alcohol drink).

Then we all went to the tube and went our separate ways. The tube was super backed up and I struggled but made it back. I checked into my hostel and explored it. It was okay. I went up to my room and found the empty bed. No one was in my room so I couldn't say hi and make friends sadly. The only open bed was the top of 3 on the left so I claimed it and made the bed and went to the bathroom. The bathroom wasn't too bad but it was super tight and small. It's coed which is fine. The toilet stall is so small you can barely stand in it. The shower stalls are also really small and I dunno where you put your clothes when you're in it.

Then I went and hung out in the common kitchen/cafeteria area and hung out on my laptop for a couple hours and went to bed early. I watched a documentary on netflix about the royals. I facetimed Allison about seeing the Queen. I wanted to facetime mom and dad but they were already on the plane and I feel bad cause they never got my text that I made it to the hostel before they had to board. I facetimed Lu and nana and poppy and chatted for a bit.

Then I went to my bed. I decided not to change into PJs cause I didn't know where to do it. and it was too much of a hassel. Since my bed had a curtain I switched my shirt for my hoodie and took off my shoes and belt. I was gonna watch some tv in my bunk but then decided to just go to bed. There was an outlet in my bed which was perfect for my phone.

The bed was not very comfy and I was still sorta grossed out and uncomfy in general so I had to fold over the pillow and slept in between the comforter so that it was a cushion under me but also kept me warm on top. The two windows were wide open and there was a fan so I wasn't warm or cold.