Hidden Pubs

The hidden pub tour was a blast. We went to 4 pubs starting with one called the Cittie of York. This pub was very very classy, unlike anything you would see in the U.S. I guess this is the place all the lawyers and doctors meet after a hard day of work. The architecture was incredible...I seriously couldn't stop staring at the woodwork and the glass and the bar. Our teacher told us the beer here had to be pumped out by hand. He also recommended we try the cider black which is hard cider mixed with this black currant stuff. It was soooo yummy, my kind of drink :)

Best thing to ever happen to me...Cider black!

The next pub was probably my favorite as far as the bar went. It was just so beautiful. I ordered a half pint of cider black for 1 pound 30 pence and our teacher let us try some of his Stout...it was...okay.

After that we went to a pub that was in the building of the old London Federal Bank. This pub had the coolest story yet. Before the bank was constructed, Sweeny Todd housed his barbershop there. Sweeny Todd was known for inviting customer's in to his business, then slitting their neck with the shaver. He would then open up the floor and slide the bodies into the basement. What I didn't know is that his lover ran a pie shop next door and she took the bodies from the basement, grinded them up, and put the remains into her pies. I almost lost it when I heard that...lets just say I did NOT have a piece of pie at pub number 3.

The final pub was called ye old cheshire cheese. It smelled of cheese. It wasn't my favorite but it was still really cool to see. I feel like the people of London must have been really small when they constructed this pub because the ceilings were very short and I felt like I was going to bonk my head on every doorway.

The way back from the tour we got to see St. Paul's Cathedral and it was so gorgeous. I wish I could describe how beautiful the buildings are here but I really can't.

Now today, I just went out on my own and explored. I had class this morning and it was a lot of fun. Then I hit up Oxford St. once again and stopped in their big department store called Selfridges...if you thought Nordstroms was big you were mistaken...this place was HUGE!!! I got lost in the women's clothes section! After that I ventured over to Hyde Park and meandered around there for a bit.

My tummy was growling so I decided to hit up my favorite cafe to grab a sammy and white coffee. This time I got a brie cheese, salami, tomato, lettuce sandwich. It was once again, delicious. This was also my first time ever eating alone but I kind of enjoyed it. It was nice to be able to do things at my own pace today and do whatever I felt like doing.

Now tomorrow we have a walking tour of all the main attractions in London which I am so excited for!!!

Cheers :)