Otter Abroad: A Royal Affair Part I

At 8:30 p.m. on April 28, 2011 Lena, Kate B, Kate R and I arrived in central London by train making us exactly twelve hours early for the biggest event of the decade. Planning for an all-nighter, we made a pit stop at Marks and Spencer for the essentials: Galaxy bars and Percy Pigs (delicious British candy). We then went to Costa Coffee for some large Americano coffees and we were set. With caffeine and candy in hand, we meandered through the lively city, which was covered in Union Jacks, soaking up the excitement for the following morning.

When we reached Parliament Square, we found people prepared with tents and blankets that had been camped out for days. Luckily, to our enthusiasm, there was plenty of space for us to plop down beside them. Because there was more than enough room, and we had more than enough time, we decided to head down the street towards Trafalgar Square and grab a couple items to fully get into the spirit of things. Unfortunately, we picked the wrong way to go. As soon as we turned the corner we were sucked into a giant mob across from the media stands. People were pushing and pulling; no one was simply walking, and it took nearly a half hour for a path to clear.

Back on our quest for British goods, we pulled into a souvenir shop and picked up Will and Kate Union Jacks, Union Jack bandannas and Kate B and Lena each got a giant Union Jack which soon became their cape. Decked out in patriotic gear, we made our back (making sure not to go down the street we had gotten there by) and sat down in our perfect location, parallel to what would be the guest entrance for the wedding. Soon after, a group of three sisters sat next to us. They too were equipped with a tent, chairs, and blankets (apparently we missed the memo on what to bring when camping on the sidewalk and boy did we pay for it.) The girls were very friendly and the good conversation helped to move the night along.

The entire city was packed with police, military and other officials and not before long we befriended the ones patrolling our campsite (also known as: the sidewalk). We were tipped off that at 6 a.m. the barricades would be set in place and we would be able to move closer to the Abbey. With that excitement in hand, we only had another 5 1/2 hours of waiting.

While everyone slept somewhat soundly in their tents, the four of us cuddled together behind an umbrella to block the wind and tried to catch just a little shuteye for ourselves.

Around 3 a.m. we were still searching for a comfortable sleeping position, but, unfortunately, the combination of cold concrete and a couple of Union Jacks kept us awake.

Finally when Big Ben struck 5:30 a.m. we stood up and got ready to dart to the front of the crowd. We slowly began to linger towards the barricades and once we got the, “okay,” we quickly scurried to a spot. I do not know how we did it, but our new friends and us girls landed a place in the very front, literally touching the metal barricade! Now it was the final stretch and we only had two hours and forty-five minutes more to wait before the guests were scheduled to arrive.

Minutes passed fast and before we knew it, the British elite begun to pour in.