the london paperchase

The London Paperchase: a set route through central London to orient the new Londoner with the city and British culture. Also a cool way to win amazing prizes!!!

Our contest photos:

Kelsey and Lauryn on Tower Bridge overlooking the Thames and
Gabriel's Wharf. Behind us is the building that will become the
tallest building in Europe when completed - even taller
than the Eiffel Tower!

Peter Sweets - the 'traditional english sweets'
candy man - in Covent Gardens. We bought Jazzies
from him - candy coated chocolate amazingness.

The paperchase at night: the Spanish tapas bar La Tasca, with our
waiter Eduardo from Madrid (and while we didn't get his number,
he did ask for ours!) after a pitcher of sangria and half a dozen
tapas!
Emily, Lauryn, Eduardo, Mary, Christina, Kelsey

London by Day: Route 9: 1-5

1. The old boat near Gabriel's Wharf is the Golden Hinde, Sir Francis Drake's ship that circled the world from 1577-1580. The ship is preserved thanks to an order from Queen Elizabeth I.

2. .. and we trek into Covent Garden (where we ate some AMAZING paella) ...

3. At Jubilee Market: according to the bouncer, Roadhouse plays rock and pop contemporary music on Saturday nights - on the 24th the band "The Gods of Rock" played, and apparently they do rock covers.

By the Punch and Judy: decorative supports in the balcony?? We looked for them and were a bit confused as we were on the balcony enjoying the atmosphere... after the fact we thought maybe the supports were holding the balcony up? No bother - we enjoyed ourselves there.

Cool shoes on Neal Street? Well that would be at Doc Marten's of course! Or for those wary of so much leather, The Natural Shoe Store. A tasty sandwich? The Crown & Anchor pub!

4. At Neal's Yard: a 10 minute Walk In back rub is £11 and a 20 minute backrub is £21. Also to be found in Neal's Yard is "Rice - The Little Shop of Funkiness," "Hair by Fairy," and "The Taste Space."

The Seven Dials are currently under construction and a date was nowhere to be found - but we read a plaque explaining how to read the dials!

Belgo on Earlham has a bridge as entry - from the bridge one can see circle lights on the floor, german murals on the walls and industrial looking metal and piping decoration.

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And here are some extra photos to chronicle our trek around the city:

Our new friends Jonathan and Danish who work
on the Tower Bridge

Paella in Covent Garden (we conversed -
in Spanish!- with a Spanish couple from
Seville while sharing a table with
them at dinner)!

Doc Martens store on Neal Street. Punk.

A very real ship that circled the globe - and is still
seaworthy at that!

Jonathan and the Tower Bridge.

** You know you want to use our photos Michael Oliver!! (and you're welcome to them) **