US Consulate, Boat Tours and The Theatre...

Our day 2 started off at the US Consulate. I went in alone. Waited. Got to the window. Got more paperwork. Waited. Was asked for 100$ which of course I did not have AND 2 pictures which I did not have. Out of the Consulate. Found Natalie. Went in through security again only to discover the photo booth I needed only took cash IN CHANGE, which we did not have. Back outside through security to a pharmacy that took my photo for 5 pounds. Back to the Consulate. Paid them their money. More waiting. Up to a window to chat with a British dude. Back to my seat for more waiting. Back to another window to talk to a US officer who told me that this happens to a whole lotta people (robbed from a restaurant). Back to my seat. More waiting… FINALLY 2.5 hours later and several trips in and out of the building, I walked away with a 3 month TEMPORARY passport....just so I can apply for the same damn thing In the states AGAIN. OY. What a process. It was like the DMV alll over again. At least everyone was nice. :)

While Natalie was waiting outside for me (when we thought they wouldn’t let her in) I sent her to take a picture of the 9/11 tribute sculpture built just off the grounds of the US Embassy. It was kind of sad, but here’s a glimpse of it.





Once we wrapped up our time with the government we headed off for a boat cruise up the Thames. On our way to catch the ferry, we discovered we had just missed seeing the Queen by about 15 minutes. Neither of us was uber sad. Here is where she lives though, not too shabby. J





The boat tour was fabulous…as you can see. We took off around Westminster Abbey and Big Ben.





We went up to Greenwich Village and eventually hopped the tube back to Green Park…and grabbed a quick bite and we were off to bed.

The next morning we got up and dressed up a bit since we’d be hitting the Theatre today and didn’t want to be the White Trash mucking the place up. We may have been a bit too much for some of the freaky dudes though…. Catcalls sound the same in ALL countries and languages.



A few things we HAD to get pictures of were the Red Photo Booths. Classic. The architecture over here is what really sets this place apart from the madness known as NYC. Such beautiful buildings.




One other essential photo was the street signs that actually save a LOT of American lives I’m sure. We never knew which way traffic was coming if not for the signage!




After some MAD SHOPPING in Covent Gardens, we were off to The Queens Theatre where we saw our show. It was amazing. We had premium seats and the talent was fabulous. I’ve seen it before, but Natalie had not. It still brought me to tears though. LOVE it!