The other parks and the battle of the bands

On monday, amy and I decided to take advantage of the Brit holiday Mayday (even though it was the 5th) and the holiday of cinco de mayo and head to the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham palace. I dont know if going on a holiday made any difference about the crowds... but it was insane. We hung around for a while waiting for it to happen. Then two different marching bands marched into the square and then into the palace gates with a whole bunch of guards and while random guards did random walks around the area just infront of the palace (getting their excersize for the day we think) the bands proceeded to have a british form of battle of the bands. One band was set up in concert formation with stands while the other in marching formations and they each took their turns playing while the guards marched around. And it was good. I had a blast, except for being behind a million people and then a huge iron fence. and it was hot. but thier was a couple of huge guards with huge gold axes that at a couple of points they swung around. When it was done, we walked down "the mall" by buckingham palace through green park to hyde park (dipped our feet in the princess di memorial fountain) and ventured around into Kensington gardens, which isnt gardens sadly but just a park. And kensington palace is just a brick big house... not really spectacular. just like buckingham palace was another big white building.... more royal looking i think. We then were really hungry (it was like 2) and we walked into the area of Kensington to find a grocery store so we could buy stuff for a picnic. We found a whole foods, which was quite an experience (the first international location of whole foods in fact and my first trip to any whole foods). We bought organic everything, including the south african chardonnay. and sourdough rolls and roast beef and turkey and avacado hummos and chips and razzberries and had a fantastic picnic. We then ventured off to find the peter pan statue and found it, which was a miracle. and then went back to the di fountain to sit and dip our feet in again, while we tried to figure out how we were going to get home. We got home and had a second picnic (this time in my room while we watched house). It was an awesome day. As amy said, "we are americans in england drinking south african wine on a mexican holiday!" quite a statement.

Saturday in the Park (again without Chicago)

So this saturday (or last saturday, however you want to think about it) I ventured to Regents Park, which is just north of where i live. I got a pret sandwich and bought a new Kathy Reichs book and walked to Regents. I sat for a while amoung a million other people who were out on a beautiful Saturday and ate and read. I then walked allllll around the park. I saw a heron (a grey one i think) and lots of people. It was beautiful. The queens roses are still not in bloom. I guess i will have to get back there sometime in june before i leave. There is this pond in the park that's shore that all these little white flowers on the ground... almost looking like sand. its the Brits form of the beach i guess. pretty cool looking. And there was this gorgeous tulip garden behind a chain and this wedding party was getting thier pictures taken in it. The bride was lying on the ground, her head in her grooms lap with her dress a pretty spread about and the tulips everywhere. the best idea for wedding photos.