We started out at the changing of the guard. I spent most of my time just video taping everyone's reactions. In reality, it's quite boring. They just march and do some band music. But so many people came. I was more just fascinated by the people watching. Next to us was a Texan family. The youngest son was on the dad's shoulders, but the older son also wanted to see, so the mom looked at me, gave a look of grim determination, and took the younger son. The dad took the older son in a feat of wonder and awe. There was much fumbling, and he prayed for a moment for the changing of the guard to be short, very short indeed.
Anyways, we then had a picnic on the lawn. I like picnics. They make me feel like an elf. We had a wonderful time.
Then, we went to Westminster abbey. I think every person ever in the world that is important must be buried there. Super neato. I was just a little bit tired, so sitting on tombs was very tempting. Elizabeth I and Bloody Mary were funny. So, Bloody Mary tries to kill Elizabeth I and all that. They were in the same tomb, with a huge, elaborate, and gaudy effigy of Elizabeth I. Haha! Irony in death.
Then we had tea in the V&A. I had a chocolate muffin and english breakfast tea. There were huge hydrangeas on the way in. Only Queen Victoria can get those.
Then, we went and got our phones. I spent the extra for 100 international minutes. Just email me for the number if you would like it. Although, it's probably quite expensive on your end, but it's nice if you have an emergency or something.
I then went swing dancing with the London Swing Dance Society. Le Mis was 42 pounds, but swing dancing only 6. I took the tube with Becca there and walked the rest. I got a little bit lost on the way there, but I stopped in for some hot tea and directions and then found it fine. I could hear "And 5, 6, 7, 8! Rock step, triple step, triple step, rock step" from the street. I was in the right place, just half an hour late. I went in to the beginner lessons for a bit, but it was a bit elementary and there were too many girls. I then joined the last half hour with the jazz class, and learned a bit of the shim sham. Well, my shim sham was pretty much sham because I had no idea what half of it was, but I feel like I have a better grasp of it than before.
After, they had a social dance. It was the most lax and wonderful dance I have ever been to. Everyone asked everyone. I think I danced with 20 different guys. They all taught me something new and fun. I got to meet a girl, Sam, and she told me about the swing dance society and leant me her fan to cool off. I met a guy who went to Oxford and now is conducting around the country.
Don't worry, Daniel. You definitely win out over all of them. Congratulations!
But it was great. Normally, swing dance dudes are creepy and are at the dance to ask girls out and get phone numbers. But I didn't hear a single peep of creepiness. Everyone just wanted to dance.
There was a screen on the side of the room that showed old clips of movie star couples dancing on stage to the music. There was a bar in the back of the room, but most just drank water, because it was a bit warm. Not everywhere has air conditioning.
Oh, frabjous day it was fun. I danced with this one guy who just had the time of his life. He just went off on his own a couple times, and we would clap. He had the biggest smile ever. I felt the sweat flying in the air.
Such cool people. Isn't it nice to know that you are more wonderful, better looking, and just generally better than all of these Brits, Daniel?
They had horrible teeth, too.
The tube turned out to be only 100 yards from the club. I took that, and sat down to some USC students who were interning for the summer. We talked until I got to my station, and I took a taxi the 5 minute walk back to the dorm to avoid walking in the streets by myself. We talked, and he watched and made sure I made it inside safely and waved.
Londoners are nice, what was I thinking? I was just doing it wrong. Getting to know the locals and avoiding touristy things is the way to go.
The swing dancing has definitely been my favorite part of London thus far. They were just super good and nice, and I actually got to know people and not just landmarks.
Sorry if that makes you nervous, Mum. I meant to meet people there, but I guess they got lost. But I felt safer there than I have even at the Baylor Swing Dance Society.
Anywho, good night, people!
No comments:
Post a Comment