Lodon, continued...

OK, after a beautiful bike ride to and from a decent psych lecutre, here is the rest of the story on London...
After finding tickets for the next night, we had dinner at a restaraunt on Leicester Square and headed to our theatre. Little did we know, there was an Apollo Theatre and an Apollo Victoria Theatre. Fortunately, after running up at down the street right before theatre time, we found a taxi and made it to the correct Apollo just in time. Even though our seats were incredibly high up in the balcony, Wicked was amazing. Idina Menzel played the part of Alfaba and was phenomenal. After many smiles, a few tears, and thundrous applause, we all headed back to our hostels. it was an excellent first day in London.
Saturday started out quite leisurely as well. Mary, Em and I eventually made our way to Camden Market and looked around. It was neat to notice the differences bettween Camden Market and Canal Street in NYC... Kim had told me all about Camden Market and I actually found the stall where she bought the ring she gave me... it was weird to think that we had both been there. Then I realized that my entire family will have been in London sometime within a five month span, just never at the same time. Weird. Mary and I each bought a pashmina (I love them!) and we grabbed lunch in the part of the market that has tons of food stalls. It was hard to choose with vendors yelling "You try some!" "Free, for you, good sample!". I eventually settled on a non descript Asian place. Only three pounds got me entirely too much food. A dish with half fried rice, half noodles, and topped with delectable chicken. We met up with Kate and Anna and shared stories from the morning.
From Camdentown, we hopped back on the tube and made our way to the Tate. Unfortunately, the guidebook I was using was written before the Tate Modern was completed... so we ended up at the Tate Britain. We looked at the gift shop, used the facilities, got directions to Tate Modern and left. The Tate Modern is located on on the Thames in a converted power plant building. It is hard to convey how amazing the collection of art is. The girls split up to enjoy the museum at our own pace. I loved every moment of it. Although I wasn't a fan of all of the art, so what. I saw some amazing things. The highlight of my visit was finally getting to see a Piet Mondrian... well, actually three. He was the first artist that I knew well enough to recognize (his work is pretty distinctive) and so it has always been close to my heart. Some of the most famous works or works that I enjoyed the most were by: Jackson Pollock, Picasso, Monet, Reindhardt, Andy Warhol, Piet Mondrian, Degas, Edvard Munch, and Matisse. It was an experience (once again, free).
Kate split off of the group as she had more time before her show (Avenue Q), but Anna, Em, Mar and I all stayed together. We walked along the Thames, by the Globe, and across the Millenium bridge as the sun finished setting and the moon became brighter. It was beautiful. We walked near St. Paul's and got on the tube back to Leicester Square to find some dinner. After dinner, Anna and Emily caved and went to McDonald's to get a McFlurry. They are only a pound. That is so incredibly cheap by any standards, it was hard not to get it. However, I have vowed NEVER to eat in a McDonald's if I am out of the US. So I abstained. We walked down to Picadilly Circus and parted ways. Anna left to see Patrick Swayze in Guys and Dolls and Mar, Em and I went to see "39 Steps". Another great night of West End performances was thoroughly enjoyed. We went back to our hostel, checked the internet, watched some British television and went to bed early again. It was another great day.
OK, so this is getting annoying, but I have to go finish up a paper before dinner, so the rest of the blog will be continued later tonight. Have a peachy day!