Having had such a great time the night before, I didn't wake until 9:47 the next morning. While I had wasted much of the morning, I wasted no more time in getting dressed and out to Hyde Park. I had promised my girlfriend that I would get her something about Princess Diana, but I didn't want to just stop at the book from St. Paul's. My destination was the Lady Di Fountain located somewhere in the park. As I searched for it through the expansive grounds, I noticed I had not only gotten stronger, but had lost a lost of weight. Walking to all the places I wanted to was helping me. Vacations weren't half bad. I took my time getting over to the fountain, taking pictures of the animals and statues as I passed. I arrived at the edge of the fountain, a sculpted fountain that reminded me of a water slide. I sat near the water, observing the people around me. It was a calming place and good to be by during the warm sunny day. After I had drank my fill, I headed to Harrods, a large mall. I had promised to buy a table runner for my mother back home and she suggested this place. Geez! The prices on everything were mind-blowing. I knew that I wouldn't be able to shop there every day. I searched many stores to see what they had. There were clothes, books, sports stores, and the food court. By the time I finished buying the table runner, it was time to eat. I was used to not eating a lot and chose a sandwich, chips, and a bottle of water. As I stood in line, this sharp voice shouted, "NEXT!". This wasn't just a worker waiting on the next person, this was a worker who had been there for a long time and was tired of dealing with customers. The man in front of me was unfortunate enough to ignore the first call. The second one sounded like a mother scolding her child. Being next, I crouched in the starting position, ready for the starting gun. It came and I sprinted forward, ready to hit that finish line! Okay, so didn't sprint, just paid attention. After paying, I took my food outside and sat in a wide sidewalk area. There was a man a few feet away playing Under The Sea from The Little Mermaid on Jamaican Steel Drums. The festive music rose through the buildings surrounding the enclosed space. I lost myself in the pleasant experience that I almost forgot the time. I was going to be late for the most important part of my journey! I threw my trash into the bin and rushed out of the alley. Imagine it dear reader, running full sprint down the sidewalk while trying to get the map out of my pack. I dodged the other goers as I searched for the nearest Tube. Dancing down the stairs, I was able to make it to the correct train. By 1:30pm, I arrived at Victoria to catch my bus. The problem was that the station was still a few blocks away. Seeing me in a bit of a panic, someone asked if I was alright. I asked them about the tour bus and they pointed me in the direction. "I'm sure you'll make it in time, just keep a steady run." Following their advice, I did make it in time and spotted the bus that would take me to The Warner Bros Studio Tour - Harry Potter, London. I caught my breath just before boarding and found a seat on the lower floor. I was so excited and the extra stops to pick people up didn't help my rapidly beating heart. About an hour later, we pulled up to... I was a kid in a candy store. I could barely contain the grin on my face as I entered the studio. To my right was the gift shop filled with walls of sweets from the movie, robes and winter wear of the Hogwarts houses, models, and, of course, wands. It took every fiber of willpower not to head there first. I bought an audio guide voiced by Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) and proceeded with the line. We were let into a theater to watch a short intro movie (forbidden to record) starring Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) (By the way, I'm listing them in the order of how they stood from left to right). Once the intro was done, the screen rose to reveal the Great Hall doors! We entered to the long tables and the costumes set up along the walls. It was amazing standing where they stood (refer to The Deathly Hallows pt. 2). We were able to snap a few quick pictures before the next group was to enter. From the Great Hall, the group split and we were able to explore by ourselves. There were costumes, sets, objects, and even a wand dueling class to learn the different forms. Posting all of my pictures would take up more blog space than I want to. I can say that this was an experience I would highly recommend to anyone. In my last blog post, I mentioned some tragedy. It's nothing I would consider crippling, but I parted with a lot of money in the gift shop at the end of the tour...I mean a lot, a lot, a lot of money. Harry Potter merch is my weakness. In any case, it was a fun filled trip and I found myself sad when they announced the closing of the studio for the day. I returned to my bus and we left for the station at 7:15pm. As the bus pulled away, I remember looking out the window at the clouds in the sky. It was angled just right to where it looked like a bay and the water was lapping the shore. I blinked a few times before seeing the clouds and as soon as I saw them, the bay was back. I was able to have that little bit of magic, to see beyond something and make it into something new. I smiled, still feeling the high of my experience. Once I reached Gloucester, I knew I needed to wind down. Leaving my items at the hotel, I headed to the Gloucester Arms Pub around the corner. After a drink and some fish n' chips, I headed back to the hotel and fell into bed. I paused for a minute, letting my breathing fill the silence. After a moment, I rolled over onto my back. One more day, I thought as I stared at the ceiling. It was painful to think of. I was having such a great time and there was still so much for me to explore. But I would have to head back to America after tomorrow. I would have to make the most of it. I fell asleep planning my day, not wanting my trip to be over. Over...why did it have to be over when I felt like it had just begun? To Be Continued... Music for the Journey Pt. 9:
Exploring Hyde Park: Atarashii Yokan by Nanase Hikaru (kimikiss pure rouge Original Soundtrack) The Lady Di Fountain: Treasured Memories by Squaresoft (KINGDOM HEARTS Original Soundtrack [Disc 1] Harrods: Take Off by Mori Yuuya (Seitokai Yakuindomo Bleep Original Soundtrack) Lunch/Festive Alley: Under the Sea by Bob Lyons (Steel Drum Gold) Hustle to the Buses: It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) by R.E.M. (Document) On Our Way: Flight of the Order of the Phoenix by Nicholas Hooper (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) At the Harry Potter Studio Tour/Welcome Movie: Happy Hogwarts by Jeremy Soule (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Video Game Soundtrack) Great Hall: Entry Into The Great Hall and The Banquet by John Williams (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Music From and Inspired by The Motion Picture) Diagon Alley: Diagon Alley and the Gringotts Vault by John Williams (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Music From and Inspired by The Motion Picture) Hogwarts Model: Hogwarts Neutral by Jeremy Soule (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Video Game Soundtrack) Leaving: Leaving Hogwarts by John Williams (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Music From and Inspired by The Motion Picture Soundtrack) The End is Near: Lily's Theme by Alexandre Desplat (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pt. 2 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) End Pt. 9: Harry's Wonderous World by John Williams (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Music From and Inspired by The Motion Picture)
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Philip M. WardenI like to write and I like to travel. Why not put both together? Archives
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