We Finally Find the Hostel...U.K. Trip Day 3b

 After emerging from the underground and reuniting with my travel companions, it was time for the last leg of the day's journey...the trek to find our hostel, Restup of London. http://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/restup-london.en-us.html?aid=330631;label=msn-j2KKa2hRvozUJM8SL95Ygw-1395893035;sid=d22818f2b6ae8eeb505adc39f35849bd;dcid=1;checkin=2014-06-20;checkout=2014-06-21;ucfs=1;group_adults=4;group_children=0;group_rooms=42355203_81940658_0_0_4_0_0;srfid=e06385d215a1ae1caef632adebb92ae9a378fe92X1#map_opened   

               
After a couple of false starts, we found the right street and trudged down the avenue. Muscles burning and complaining we made our way down the road, after asking someone who clearly didn't know where the hostel was and hardly even knew what street he was on. I really don't know what his problem was. Perhaps he knew about the connection between elephants and castles. We finally, and happily, walked into the hostel, signed in and went to get settled in. I was supposed to act like I was 35 because one of the websites said the hostel was for people 18-35. But I soon spied a man with gray hair, obviously not 35, and indeed, saw families with members both older and younger than the advertised ages. So I relaxed and began to act my age.

              Our hostel, RestUp London.  Home, sweet home for our time in central London.

 Up to the top floor in an old elevator (it was certainly preferable to taking the stairs) (I think) with a sign that warned against more than 5 people in the elevator at a time. We decided to chance it, knowing that the weight of all our luggage was probably more than an average person. Well, we made it up there, found our room, opened the door and burst into laughter. It was a closet with 2 sets of bunkbeds, a window and a tiny sink, just the right size for a munchkin, a leprechaun or perhaps Paddington Bear. Or maybe not. The room was no longer than a bunk. The space between the beds was the width of the door. The people on the top bunk were probably going to suffer from claustrophobia. At least we were able to cram all our suitcases under the bed, well, just barely. This room was advertised as  "en suite for four people."
 

Then Rachel and I had a little adventure in the lavatory. Suffice it to say we didn't notice the sign that said it was the "male toilets" until we were on the way out. Happily for us, there were no occupants in there (just for the record, I am no stranger to walking into bathrooms for people of the opposite gender...it happened to me once back in the states in a McDonald's and I have taken especial care ever since then to make sure that it never happens again--until this day. And I really have no explanation or defense for that  blunder)

 Then we walked down the street to the Indian Food Cuisine/English Fish and Chips place. We could choose from Falafel, Tabouli or Fish and Chips. I may be exaggerating but not a lot. I had a huge piece of fish (with the skin on under the batter) (which kinda grossed me out) and too many chips (which were really just French fries.) The food was hearty, plentiful and tasty, although the ambiance of the place left much to be desired. To me, it was kind of like a bus stop with food. Not much bigger than that, anyway. However, we were too tired to walk any farther than the block or two that it took to get to this little hole-in-the-wall streetside eating joint.

 Then it was back to the hostel to do laundry, grab some internet and plan the next few days. The wifi for the internet only worked downstairs so we found this little nook, clearly intended for clients under the age of eighteen, and claimed it for our own. We were able to finalize some plans...


 Then back to our room to discuss our wardrobe options...

 

I got to utilize my mad paracord skills to put Sara's purse back together...

(honorary boy scout, didn't I tell you?)

 And we had some time to just hang out in our spacious "ensuite" room.

There might also have been some giggling while they tried (and succeeded) to fit three girls on a bunk. I am not quite sure...I was acting my age and therefore went to bed early.