How did this guy get 6 wives?

Free weekend: Day 3

Today was such a nice day! The temperature was a little higher, the rain held off for most of the day, and our good ‘ol friend Mr. Sunshine decided to make an appearance! We took it easy this morning and left around 10:30 to go to Hampton Court Palace—home of Henry VIII. A very appropriate trip since everyone is celebrating his 500th anniversary right now. We had to get on the tube to King’s Cross to buy extensions for our travel cards. We only get Zones 1 & 2, but we needed to go all the way to Zone 6 today. Luckily it only cost us £5! We rode the District Line all the way to Wimbledon and then hopped on a National Rail train the rest of the way to Hampton Court. It took a little over 2 hours to get there, but luckily I had some good company in Alex, Caitlin, Kathleen, Sara, and Sara. (I may or may not be in love with them.) It was actually really fun to ride the train—I guess just because I’d never really done it before.

When we got there we were so excited to see the palace, especially Alex! If she could have it her way she’d be wife #7 I think. This palace was so much better to go and see than the others, probably because no one who’s actually royalty stays there anymore. We got there, paid our £11.50 student discounted ticket price and had pretty much free reign over the palace and the grounds! The gate to get there was so official, and we walked up to the entrance that was lined with trees decorated for the occasion. Today the palace had actors reenacting Henry VIII’s wedding to wife number six, Kataryn Parr. We didn’t go to the actual wedding ceremony—because we couldn’t find the place—but we did catch one scene. When we got there we were given a “wedding invitation” and it had times and meeting places throughout the palace for different occasions. We saw Henry and some of his male entourage in his private wine cellar, enjoying his last moments as a single man. It was pretty cute. The best part about today was that we actually got to take pictures of inside the palace! You can bet I took a TON of pictures. The rooms were decorated lavishly, the ceilings were absolutely beautiful, and the paintings and tapestries were incredible. Those Tudors sure knew how to live a lavish lifestyle. We saw the Queen’s Private Apartments and the King’s as well. I got some incredible photos of the décor. While we were walking through some of the 1500 rooms in the palace all I wanted was a long dress. I could just imagine being royalty and strolling through the rooms, and walking through the covered courtyard around the fountain with my dress trailing behind me. I swear I was born in the wrong century.

What was even better than the inside of the palace were the gardens! The grounds of the palace are absolutely ridiculous! There are fountains, endless trees and landscaping, and everything is in bloom! I used to think that I hated roses, but I think I might be starting to like these English ones. I could just imagine ladies strolling through the gardens with courtiers back in the day. We found the famous garden maze and of course we went through it. I thought it would take us longer, but we only made one wrong turn and finished it really quickly! Must be women’s intuition…

The lawns were beautiful and sprawling, there were amazing statues, ponds and covered walkways, and I even saw the world’s largest grape vine today! I just can’t even begin to describe how beautiful it is. I doubt even the pictures that I took will do it justice. Just gorgeous!

After the palace we got ready for the long trip back to Islington and Ability. We left Caitlin and Alex behind because they just couldn’t get enough of the castle, but we were pretty tired. All four of us fell asleep on the train and luckily woke up at our stop! Nice. Then we hung out on the tube for a while. I used to hate the tube, but now I’ve decided that it is an amazing Petri dish for people watching. Kids and babies are adorable on the tube because they just get all wide-eyed and look around at everyone. Couples are so, well, hands-on. Not just on the tube either! I’ve notice an amazing amount of P.D.A. all over the place here. American men would do good to come over here and witness some romance! I see men all the time buying flowers and riding home with takeout and flowers on the tube all the time. The men here just seem so much more romantic! It’s so cute.

Sara and I went to a little Mexican place, called Tortilla (it’s kind of like a sub par Chipotle) for a burrito to take home. The food here is really lacking flavor and it’s hard to find anything that isn’t wrapped in bread! I like carbs though, so I can get by.

It’s amazing that when we get back for the day, FRIENDS is always on T.V. It’s a perfect way to wind down. We watched Rachel have her baby today by the way.

I’m heading to bed kind of early tonight and I’m having my day to myself tomorrow. I’m going to get up early and go have some breakfast and some coffee and then I’m probably going to do some shopping or just anything else I want to do. I can’t wait to have a day where I have nothing on my schedule!

Good night all!
Whitney