Mind the Gap

Yesterday was spent trekking around London in search of decently priced theater tickets. Unfortunately, we had no luck. We came home early and crashed. We were all so tired and sore from the long day before, and we thought it would be best to stay in for the night.

Today, we got up early, in hopes to get the 10 pound tickets for Legally Blonde, the Musical. We were late in getting there, but we ended up getting matinee tickets for a decent price. We split up from there, and Kelsey, Catie, and I wasted time in China Town before the show.

We spent some time wandering around, and were able to find great prices for Wicked tonight, as well as 15 pound tickets for Les Miserables on Tuesday. Score. We hunted around for some Chinese food for lunch before we headed back to the theater. We thought that we could get a few dishes and share, but they said that they were one person portions. I've just learned to stop listening to waiters who say that because THEY LIE. My chicken cho mein would have fed a family of 3. But it was tasty.

We left China Town to the Savoy theater to see Legally Blonde. We had seats on the 3rd row! The show was hilarious and we were all smiling and laughing through the entire thing.

After the show, we headed over to Victoria, near the Wicked theater. We grabbed a quick dinner and some treats (PS to Anna... Hob Nobs are the bomb.com.net.org!!), then went to the theater. We had seats on the 2nd row, off to the side. Our seats were the 'partially obstructed view' seats, so we missed a little bit, but we had all seen it before, so we didn't care. It was AH-mazing. I loved it!

Here's the one picture with me in it, mom. Just for you. This is us at the Wicked theater.

We got so lucky with theater tickets today! There is sooo much to do here in London, I hope I can fit everything into two and 1/2 more weeks!!


Day 30: My favorite song from last year. I'm pretty sure I was loving on some Temper Trap, but who knows. I'm just glad this thing is over! WOO! No more! Here's Love Lost.

Mischief Managed

Are you ready for a long post with a lot of pictures? Because I'm sitting here waiting for my laundry to get done and I have lots of time. Ok, ready? Here we go.

After class, we booked it to Trafalgar Square. Everyone had been camping out since Monday or Tuesday, and you could smell it. There was garbage, soggy newspaper, and crap everywhere. We got a great spot up front, next to the red carpet. The people around us had been camping out, so we decided it would be best of we just said we did as well (Apparently, Tuesday night was a rough one).

 

Thanks google for the pic. We were off to the far right in the front.

I anchored myself to my spot. There was no way I was going to move, go to the bathroom, put my stuff down, nothing. So, for 3 1/2 hours we stood there. We got rained on a few times. Then poured on. Still we stood there, wet, cold, and with aching legs and backs. And we waited... and waited.

By the time the stars arrived, it was sunny. A blessing! Rupert Grint was the first to arrive (classy guy) and everyone started going crazy. I was immediately shoved into the girls in front of me and there were arms going in all directions with autograph books and cameras. I was on my tip toes trying to get some good pictures, not really caring about autographs (Catie got some autographs- Bonnie Wright, Tom Felton, Fleur, and a few randoms). Kelsey and I were in charge of pictures, and we were both in different places, so we were able to get different angles.

We waited for a bit after Rupert came by, then they all started showing up pretty quickly. I was probably squished and on my tip toes for the whole 3 hours! But it didn't matter. All the pain from back aches, sore legs, and tight calves went away as soon as Rupert came on the red carpet. Here's all who we saw:

Neville never looked so fine. We were like WHOA, who's mister sexy pants?

The man who plays Lucius Malfoy.

Michael Gambon. Everyone was shouting, "DUMBELDORE! DUMBELDORE!"

Pretty sure I have a new crush.

The Weasley twins, looking way fine.

Would you look at those twins?? Tall cuties!

Luna. She ran to an interview, then came back later, you'll see.

Fleur Delacour- Clémence Poésy, so beautiful and smiley.

Bill. He was so nice!

Narcissa Malfoy

                  

Bonnie Wright- aka Ginny. She smiled like this the whole time.

Jamie Campbell- aka Grindelwald. He had no problem telling the crowd that they were smelly. His exact words were, "The stench is unreal". And it's true. People camped out as much as 3 nights. No showers. Yeah, it smelled.

                           

Tonks

Tom Felton, also looking fine.

Told you she'd come back!

Hagrid

Filch

David Heymen

Professor Sprout

Ralph Fiennes- Voldemort looking way nice with a nose.

Cho Chang

                                       

                                                   Emma Watson, always beautiful and classy.

                         

                                  McGonagall

Bellatrix

Goyle, looking like a pimp

Lupin

Alan Rickman

Snape, Snape, Severus Snape

Daniel Radcliffe- Harry Potter himself

The woman of the hour!!

When J.K Rowling came out, everyone went nuts. There was this crazy girl in front of me that wanted her to sign her arm, then she would go to a tattoo parlor afterward and get it tattooed on. WHAT? When she didn't come and sign, the girl started crying. I love Harry Potter, but there's a line between love and crazy. The same girl got interviewed a few times (basically the same question, how do you feel now that it's over?) and she kept saying the weirdest things like "It's still not over for us. We have our exhibitions and conventions." "This is real for us." It was hilarious.

After Jo came, we were ready to go. We made our way to the exit, but they had blocked everything off, telling us that the 'talent' had to be safely in their cars before they let us go. So we were caged like wild animals for another 2 hours. The producers, directors, Jo, and the trio went up on stage and gave tribute to each other, the films/books, and Jo. It was amazing. They were crying and thanking everyone for the support. Jo said that Harry Potter will never be over, and we'll always be able to carry Hogwarts in our hearts. I was so happy to be there to listen to them give tribute to these films and books that I grew up with. I really don't think there will ever be anything like Harry Potter again.

Here's the speeches, I really can't do them justice.

Not my picture, but how amazing is this?

We got to see Rupert one last time.

Harry Potter has been influencing millions of people since 1997. I'm so happy I was able to be at the premiere for the very last film, the end of an era. I'm sounding really corny and nerdy, aren't I?? But man, I am one lucky kid.




Day 29: A song from your childhood: The first Spice Girls album was my very first CD. I was even Sporty Spice for Halloween. Here's Spice Up Your Life. Oh, memories.

Not Me, Not Hermione, YOU

Alright, this is what you came for right? You want to know how we worked the system and got our HARRY POTTER WORLD PREMIERE RED CARPET EVENT wristbands. First, let me explain these wristbands. This gives as access to a gated area that lines the red carpet. So that means we get to see Emma, Dan, Rupert and the gang TOMORROW.

Earlier in the day, we had decided to go to Trafalgar Square after class to see if we could get wristbands. We arrived to thousands of people in line and this:

People were already camping out and the guards kept saying they weren't giving any more wristbands and not to bother getting in line. The line was SUPER long, so we decided to move on and say that we tried. 

Then, the best part of this trip happened. We had just finished dinner and were making our way to Her Majesty's Theater for Phantom of the Opera. We walked through Trafalgar Square on the way and saw them still giving out wristbands, but on the last few. We decided to hop in the short line and try and get 4. We saw them slowly running out of wristbands, and we were 3 people away when they said they didn't have any more. Our friend Katie's birthday is tomorrow, so she mentioned that to the security guards. They perked up and she was able to get a wristband! We all started negotiating with the guards, saying we had to be together to celebrate, we came all the way from the States, and we weren't allowed to separate because of our study abroad. When we told them we came from America, these girls behind us said, "We're from Uruguay!"And tried to push around us. We weren't going to have any of that. I suctioned myself to the guard, we literally begged and pleaded for 3 of the very few wristbands left. I'm talking around 5 or so. Soon, Catie had a wristband. Then, Kelsey had one on her wrist. I was the only one left. I pulled out the big guns (big smiles, batting eyes... the works) on Andy, the security guard, and before I knew it, I had a wristband.

We thanked Andy profusely for helping us out, and walked away nearly crying from excitement. I still can't believe it!!

Alright, let's get to some regular posting. Yesterday, after class, we packed lunches and ate in Hyde Park. We hopped on the tube afterward and headed to Piccadilly Circus. It was so so hot. We checked prices for shows and shopped around a bit, and then it started pouring. That was the moment we decided it was time to go home. Our feet were hurting and we needed a break!

Here are some fun pictures from that day:

Regent Street

Today, we went to Trafalgar Square (story above), then got our tickets for Phantom of the Opera. After that, we went to Buckingham Palace.

We decided to come back to the flats to change and find a place to eat before Phantom. We had already done so much walking, and my feet were killing me. I guess I'll just have to get used to it here!

Kelsey and I have mastered the Tube and crowd navigating. We can seriously snake through crowds like no body's business. This was super helpful for Phantom. After we got our wristbands, we made our way to Her Majesty's Theater and saw Phantom of the Opera. Wow. It was absolutely amazing! We loved it!!

Today was absolutely amazing. I love Harry Potter and this will be a once in a lifetime event! I can't wait!!




Day 28- A song that makes you feel guilty. Nope, not doing it. Here's St. Peter's Cathedral by Death Cab for Cutie instead.