A Day of Remembrance

I cannot believe today is already the ten year anniversary of September 11th. That day will always be remembered by ever American during the exact moment the planes hit from how they felt to what they lost. Instead of attending a Polo match, I thought I could better spend my day remembering all the heroes who lost their life ten years ago. This afternoon, my entire flat watched President Obama speak at the Ground Zero Memorial, which moved many of us to attend mass. We went to Westminster Abbey, where the royal family's wedding ceremonies take place, to sit in on a special memorial service for 9/11. I can say that I have never been in a more beautiful church in my life. Westminster Abbey was overwhelmingly magnificent, with all the detailed architecture and stained glass. The ceremony was not only beautiful, but I have never heard a choir sound so brilliant before! When mass ended we were able to walk down the aisle, like Kate Middleton when she married Prince William! Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures from inside the church because photography is not allowed. This will not be my last time in Westminster Abbey. I hope to go to mass another Sunday as well as attend mass at St. Paul's Cathedral, known for where Princess Diana got married.

Being 9/11, we all decided not to take the Tube for safety reasons. Now we truly know how much faster it is to take the subway than the bus in London. We were stuck in traffic for about an hour, which should have only been a twenty minute ride. Before going to Westminster Abbey we took the bus to the London Eye, where there was the Thames Festival along the River. The Annual Festival is a weekend event that includes booths of food, jewelry, clothing, and performers. After walking along the entire river we decided to splurge on some fudge that was to die for!

When we left our flat this afternoon it was gorgeous outside. About 70 degrees, bright and sunny, with what looked to be no chance of precipitation. Boy were we wrong! While at the festival, the sun slowly vanished behind clouds, only to be rained on ten minutes later without an umbrella or rain jacket. Lucky for us, we were on our way to Westminster and did not have to be outside in the terrible weather for long.

Yesterday we experienced a very similar encounter with the weather. We spent most the day in Notting Hill (right where the movie was filmed) at the Portobello Market. This market was by far the best market I've ever encountered. It continued for two miles of shops, stands, restaurants, and antique tables. (Yes I took some pictures for you Dad...they even has some really cool old watches)!

The market was beautiful, closer to high 70s, until the rain decided to downpour on us without any warning. None of us had umbrellas or even jackets and all of the girls were wearing sundresses, not the best clothing for a rain storm.

To all of my Kappa Sisters.. It did not take long for Mackenzie and me to find fleur de lis!
We hope you girls have an amazing time with recruitment and we look forward to meeting the our new epsilon class!

If this weekend has taught me anything, it would be never go anywhere in London without an umbrella because you never know when the rain will come pouring down!