So this morning I had breakfast and left the hostel at around 9h. I went to Westminster tube station where I saw Big Ben and the London Eye. I then walked along Westminster Palace, following Millbank all the way to the Tate Britain. It opened at 10h and I got there just on time! I toured the modern Britain artwork. I mostly enjoyed seeing Riley's work in real. I had studied her a bit in one of my classes at Uni… But photocopied works/slides don't have the same impact! So I examined her paintings upclosed and from far. Really neat stuff. So easy to do these days with Photoshop though! Then I walked back… I stopped at St John's Smith Square.

Then I arrived at Westminster Abbey. But from the wrong side! I was in the college area… There were students everywhere. And when I finally found an entrance to the Abbey I was told tickets were available on the other side! So that's where I went. It was a long queue. I waited from 11h to 11h20. Then I toured the church until 12h20. My favourite room was Lady Chapel at the back.

After the church I walked along Whitehall. I saw Downing Street and it's gate protecting the Prime Minister. I also saw how they really inspected cars at another building's gate… Going all around it with a mirror looking for a bomb! Then I saw the Horse Guards Parade… The same horses as yesterday but this was their home, right near the park. There were two horses/guards near the entrance, and tourists taking their photographs with them.

I then bought a sandwich, pineapple pieces and orange juice. I took the tube from Charing Cross to the hostel. I was tired. At the hostel I tried sleeping but couldn't. The housekeeping crew were cleaning. Later my new roommates arrived. They are from France and it's a couple with their daughter. I was there from 13h45 to 15h20. Then I came to this Internet place. I was thinking about going to explore the Soho area to find a place to eat. And then visit the parliament (Westminster Palace) which is opened until 22h. That would allow me to see the Abbey/Palace/etc with the night lights, which I was told was very pretty. But I don't know if I feel like it. I also need stamps but I have no idea where to buy them.

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So yesterday after using the Internet I came back to the hostel. I was really feeling sick, like I was about to throw up and my head hurt. I just drank some water, took the 3rd Tylenol of the day and went to lay on my bed. This time the hostel was more quiet, no cleaning ladies or loud people in the hallway so I was able to sleep… I slept until 18h30 and felt a bit better so I left for the Tottenham Court Road Underground station. From there I walked around in Soho trying to find a good restaurant to sit. None seemed to suit me, in what I felt like eating. I finally just decided to go in one.

It was called Bar Carpe Diem … It featured comfortable banquette seating with huge Ikea cushions. Very comfortable. I sat in a spot where I could watch the images of MTV Germany (why Germany, no idea) being projected on the wall and also outside the people walking by. The good points were quiet (only 3 other customers), no smoke, quiet music. All things I needed because I was feeling sick. The bad points were the overpriced food for the quality/quantity and the slow waitress… Not too good for a restaurant! I had a ceasar salad (though I asked for the chicken ceasar salad… It came without… And I didn't want to fuss around ordering another one), a crepe with Nutella as well as a 7up (which the waitress didn't understand what it was and called it “lemonade”… sure). Anyways… 15£ later I had a belly kind of full I left the resto. It seems this resto was overpriced because it was in Soho. My meal at the West Kensington pub from the previous evening was 10000 times better and also cheaper. So note to self, avoid restos in the city centre and try to find little places locals go to.

I walked along Oxford spotting shops for later shopping and took the tube from Oxford Circus to Westminster station. I walked around looking at the illuminated London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Palace and Abbey. It was raining quite a lot. So it was sucky. But still the buildings looked very pretty at night!

I had decided to wear my Puma shoes to go out. And that was a mistake. Because after walking around in Soho to find a resto and walking around at night they were soaked. My socks were soaked. My feet didn't feel comfortable. So I am glad I brought my Ecco boots and that's what I will continue wearing in the London rain.