Wild about Austin: The Earl's Court

I know it may be hard to believe but this is the only picture I took of the hostel where we stayed in London. We lamented the fact that we did not take our picture out in front but we just forgot! That's how stimulating London is! It is so atmospheric though my pictures fail to capture it. This window is looking out from the front lounge where a lot of people gathered. I really enjoyed meeting all the folks there. There were plenty of people who did not fall into the category of "youth". One lady we met was 76. Another guy was in his 60's and a big rugby fan. He drove a taxi in Sydney, Australia when he wasn't traveling. I hope to run across more places like this, but Versailles only has one hostel and it is not near the city center. Madrid hostels seem pretty oriented to the partyiers of which I am not one. Earl's Court Hostel is in a gorgeous leafy neighborhood that is one street off all the shops and subway. They told us Madonna lived up the street. Could that be true?

The nearby tube station. Mind the gap!

M. and I both wanted to see the Tate Modern Museum which we had heard so much about. We were underwhelmed. Here is a pic of one of the object d'art. Seriously. What is this about?

And this? Rocks on a stick?

It was overcast and rainy but we persevered and walked around the neighborhood. Globe theater and colorful spots and the Thames made it all worthwhile.

As it turns out, the queen was out of town and so her palace was open for public tours. Pretty awesome!
Sorry no pictures inside, so you will have to take my word for it that we saw about 19 state rooms, the royal collection of fabrege items, as well as Kate's wedding dress. We were allowed to take pictures of the royal carriages.

Backyard of Buckingham Palace