London and Prague

On Saturday June 22 we were off to London. I accidentally slept in and really had to haul bum to get packed and ready in time to leave. We all met at Said Bussiness School. Heeje slept in more than me so we all ended up waiting for him. Tom, McKenna, and Sophie were leaving for London, too. Craig rented a car to get our luggage to Cambridge before our trip but there wasn't enough room for Fumio and me so we went with the others by train to London. First we stopped at Tom's cousin's house to drop off their luggage and then we went wandering around London. First we went to Saint Paul's Basilica which was amazing. Sophie was really touched. 

We then found this really random art instillation that spun. we each took a turn on it and we were all screaming with laughter. Other tourists took our picture and locals looked in disgust. I went on it sitting down because I knew I would eat it otherwise. I ended up spinning off the side. It was so randomly fun!

We randomly saw Jacob K. going to the globe theater. Sophie was so excited that she jumped on him! We all love Jacob. He's awesome. He had missed his flight because he went to the wrong air port so he was just chilling with this random bloke. We also got random masks from some Thai market. 

My Boadicea picture.

We all walked to parliament which was fun. (apparently I didn't get any pictures of that). We then said our goodbyes to part ways. It was sad saying goodbye to Sophie, McKenna, and Tom! Spencer and I found our way to a train that would take us pretty close to our hostel. 

At the hostel, we met up with Craig, Heeje, and Jennifer to be ready for our flight the next day. Spencer (Fumio) and Heeje thought we shouldn't all be in the same room but both Jen and I said that we would feel safer if we all were. Fumio was all "it's about the principle." Oh really? You would rather we were not as safe so that you didn't have to worry about us being in the same room? It made me feel really uncomfortable. Sorry my womaness is so threatening. I promised them I would not seduce them. 

We made it to Prague the next day, and it turns out that Craig is the most capable out of all of us. He was able to get us all to the city.

We made the long trek up to the hostel. I love Prague! It's so beautiful!! Our hostel is fun too.

I told Jen we were making silly faces but I stayed cute

This was our reaction, haha

The one thing I really wanted to go to was where Jozef Gabcik and Jan Kubis were killed which was Saint Cyril and Methodius church, so we went ahead and went that direction. I'm glad we found it. Apparently it was Kubis' birthday so there were a ton of flowers there. 

I asked Craig to take my picture in front of the church but he cut off the flowers! it almost looks like he did it on purpose! I was sure to tease him about his crappy picture taking skills for the rest of the trip and now he actually makes an effort to take good ones, haha. 

So I took a picture a picture of them myself

A look at all the bullet holes.

Inside where Kubis was killed.

Craig and I payed to go to the crypt where the last stand off took place

Above these was a hole tat was the only entrance. Two men were able to hold off all the Nazis trying to get in by shooting at their feet as they stepped down

This is where they tried to dig out. I red a couple of the notes left there and it really touched me. I actually started crying. I can't believe the horrors that must have been those last few hours and the bravery of all the men who died there. They are such heroes. 

Where some men held off the Nazis

This famous building! I've heard so much about it.

I love Prague!!!

We decided to hike up the hill to the gardens. On the way, we foudn this memorial to victims of communism. The Czech really hated the Soviets (Prague Spring anyone?)

Me and my Asians: Craig, Fumio (Spencer), and Heeje

At the garden. So beautiful.

From the top of the hill

walking back to our hostel for the night

A random Monastery that we ran into. IDK why a nun was there.

The view from our Hostel window. Prague Castle is directly to the left. It was a great location. 

On the way back from the gardens. we didn't know what these meant. Maybe it is a pilgrimage. 

these are out of order.

Back at the Hostel, I got a message from my European Studies friend, Bryson Strupp, who is staying in Prague working at the embassy! He invited me to hang out with him the next day!