Update 1

        Hopefully my post titles will get more interesting as I write more, but for now it is late and boring will have to do. In the past two days a lot has happened. Beginning with the journey from Heathrow to our incredible hotel, The Langham. We took the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station and from there proceeded to have our first encounter with the Underground. Let me tell you that it was extremely difficult since we each had two big rolling bags. We got many strange looks. But eventually we made it and got poured on as well.
       Once we were at the hotel we had about half an hour to freshen up and then our tour guide Gary arrived. He took us on a driving tour of London and gave us some great ideas for things to do. Along with ideas, he had stories. Gary worked as a policeman for many years and then served as a driver for Queen Elizabeth and Lady Di and is very involved in the secret service still. After being dropped back off at the hotel we made our way over to the Tower of London but found out that the last tour of the day had already ended. So naturally we went to a bar instead, and then dinner. We then crashed early as the jetlag was kicking in.
       Today was very busy. It started off with an incredible continental breakfast and leaving the hotel at 9:30 am and not returning until 11:30 pm. First stop was the Wellington Barracks just up the road from the Buckingham Palace. We watched as the 'fresh' guards prepared to replace the 'tired guards' and even got an up close picture because Gary told us exactly the right place to stand! We didn't stick around for the actual ceremony because the street was SO crowded, but we got the idea. We then took the Underground to Tafalagar Square to see if we could find tickets for a show. As it turned out, we got tickets to see Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap at St. Martin's Theater. But more of that later. The woman who sold us our tickets advised us on the best place to get fish and chips and that pub is where we had lunch. The Salisbury had an amazingly beautiful interior and the nicest bartender.
       Next stop was the Tower of London. We had an incredible beefeater tour guide who made the Tower come to life. We heard many a gruesome story of beheading, but getting to see the crown jewels made up for all of the gore. They were spectacular. On top of that, the weather was nice, which was lucky as we spent so much time outside! After the Tower of London we went to the greatest place on earth: Platform 9 3/4. Let me tell you that it was the pilgrimage to my mecca. I even got to put a Ravenclaw scarf on, and my mom wore Hufflepuff of course. Afterwards was a small snack. My mom and I found a small little cafe that sold yummy sandwiches and lattes and was super speedy, lucky for us because we were cutting it close for the start of the show. We then hurried over to St. Martin's to see our show. The theater was very small but the show and actors were amazing. I highly recommend it to anybody who finds himself or herself in London with nothing to do for an evening. We then went to a delicious Italian place that was in a word, very hipster. The wine and pizza hit the spot.
      Upon our return back to the hotel we went to BB and Aunt Kait's room and proceeded to receive a noise complaint because we were FaceTiming too loudly. Only with the Barton women. Go figure. This trip has already been incredible, and I know it will only continue to get better.