Day #2, a little more food, a little more rest. And Big Ben! I was alternately excited and nervous for this one. Less than a year ago they opened up reservations to climb to the top of Big Ben via a tight and winding staircase - 334 steps in all. These tickets sell out quickly, and I managed to snag on of the last ones for the time I was here. My question - 334 steps works out to about 20 flights of stairs in all. Was this a goal I could accomplish, or would they need to call me an ambulance about halfway through?
I'm pleased to say I succeeded! I got to walk behind the clock face, as well as be next to the bells when they chimed the hour (2pm). Unfortunately I couldn't take pictures - it's a security risk - but you'll hopefully take my word for it that it's an amazing experience. If you get the chance, do it!
From the walk over. Don't know if you can see the details - but it's New Scotland Yard. This is about 5 minutes in one direction from my hotel, Old Scotland Yard is 5 minutes in the other direction.
I put away my phone (Google maps) at some point in the walk, thinking I'd be able to see Big Ben and figure out where to go. If you enlarge the picture, you'll see what I mean. Hard to miss! :)
Before the climb - yup, it's a really tall tower.
After the climb. Sweaty and slightly stinky, but happy with myself.
From the walk home - the London Eye
Day #2 was also Day #1 of the theatre! I got to see Hadestown. If you haven't seen it, brush up on your Greek mythology of Hades / Persephone and Orpheus / Eryudice. Be aware though, it'll also spoil the ending. I also got lucky enough to get pictures with a number of the actors at the stage door afterwards. They were all so gracious and kind!
Again with the McDonalds. You can see McDonalds in the upper left, and the sign for Hadestown in the middle right. No, I did NOT stop there for dinner.
I ordered tickets really early, so was able to get center tix close to the stage. Worth it!
The ceiling. No good stories about it, just that our buildings in the US don't have stuff like this!
With the actress who played Hermes (the narrator). This would be a fun role to play - the actress brought a great energy to it.
Orpheus. So very cute, but dang, doesn't he look 12? He's supposed to be young and innocent so I guess that's the point.....
Persephone. I was in awe of her singing. At one point she was belting full force while doing a backbend that almost reached to her knees. How she got air into her lungs while doing that, I'll never know.
Hades. When my mom saw this picture, she commented "Oh, you thought he was good looking!" Why yes, yes I did. :) He was also the understudy, and did a great job.
The next day is the food tour of Borough Market and St Dunstan in the East. More to come!
Your travel blog is awesome! Donna and I feel like we are there, minus the cardio. 334 steps up Big Ben? Impressive! That’s a serious cardio workout with a bell-tower soundtrack ant the end. Also, love how McDonald's keeps photobombing your cultural highlights. When I first went to London in 1990, I was poor and ate more than a few meals at Burger King and grocery stores.
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