December 3rd, half past five in the morning; we left Pamplona on a very good moon and after a few hours we were at Heathrow Airport. Because of the weather, we weren’t allowed to land at first, so we spent quite a long time flying over it.

As soon as we arrived, London started to work its magic on us. A few minutes to leave our things at Tavistock Hotel, in Tavistock Square, and we started walking though streets, squares, markets and museums for five days non-stop.

We spent our first morning with Paddi, a very big old English lady, that in a perfect Liverpool accent explained to us a bit of British history in everything she showed us from the bus, including recitation of poems and a bit of gossip about millionaires. We all loved her although she told us we were rude because we didn’t stop talking during her speech.

After that, each one of us chose the thing we wanted to see again slower: Tower of London, Houses of Parliament with the great Big Ben, change of Guard at Buckingham Palace, the British Museum with it’s incredible Egyptian Collection, the National Gallery and the Portraits shown there and beautiful shopping streets clogged with traffic and full of lights.

The Tower of London was one of the most beautiful and touristic places, so many of us tried to visit its buildings and also the treasures you could find there, like the Crown Jewels and the Diamonds. The people who worked there made the place much more interesting. They guided us through the historic areas as we listened to the stories and events that took place there so many years ago.

We only made a break to taste a lovely cup of tea or coffee in bustling cafes or to have our meals in comfortable little Chinese, Indian or Italian Restaurants. After dinner, some of us went to the opera, to concerts or to musicals, such as “We Will Rock You”, remembering Freddy Mercury, that most of us chose.

The weekend was for the huge oozing life markets such us Portobello or Camden.

On Sunday at half past one, we were again on the bus with Paddi. Time to say good-bye to London and to listen to the last poem of our guide, who stayed with us until the very last moment of our check-in wishing to each of us, with a charming British smile, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Those fortunate people who were lucky enough to visit the most fantastic city in the south of England have also wanted to make their contribution to VP, so here are some of the many...

“I´m not to feel confident if I can write my comments in English but I´ll try. The trip to London was funny because of the city, the schoolmates and the organisation. Thank you Herminia. You are lovely. I was 30 years ago when I was last in London but I didn´t remember it. We saw some famous sites and we went to a rock musical “We will rock you” I loved it! We also visited museums; seeing your favourite painters it was wonderful. The day before the last day, we visited Camden market. we ate in several Japanese restaurants and we enjoyed ourselves a lot.” ......................... Jesus Dornalateche (Inglés 2º)

“I had a nice holiday! I could practise my English and it was great to see my colleagues and English friends again. I also met new people who study at the EOIP. I´d like to repeat the experience next year. Maybe to Ireland, Scotland...”
......................... Villar López Vallés

“I think the trip to London was fantastic. There were many things to do and any paces to visit. it was a shame we had so few days . It made us feel like going back again. I´ll probably do it this Summer.”
......................... Aihnoa Galdeano.

“London was great !!! It is a fantastic, cosmopolitan, interesting, amusing and very special city. Who said that London people are stuck up and snobs? We only talked to very nice people from all over the world that, in fact, none of them were born there. Maybe that´s the clue for being such an interesting city... See you next year in New York.”
.......................... Antonio García & Susana Azcona.

“I´ve heard a lot about London but actually it is better than I imagined it, All the beautiful, old buildings, the river, the underground, the shops and the general atmosphere of the place is wonderful so I can only thank Herminia and the school for the opportunity of visiting London.”
.......................... Pablo Díaz Ibáñez.

“I will never forget the impression I had when I listened to Paddi (suponemos que esta chica es la guía, el Editor) for the first time: her voice and intonation were so marvellous that i suddenly fell in love with her...” ................ Iñaki