Well one of the first things I can remember doing in London was going to Kings Cross station to Platform 9 3/4!!!! Since I am SUCH a HP (Harry Potter) fan this was on the list of MUST DO'S!
The whole gang! From L to R Jonathan Chu, Elizabeth Kearns, Nayeli Vivanco, Kim Ward, me and Hannah. So glad that others shared in my geekiness too!
Such a nerd and loving it!
Hannah getting in on the action!
According to wikipedia, Platform 9 3/4:
King's Cross is featured in the Harry Potter books, by J. K. Rowling, as the starting point of the Hogwarts Express. The train uses a secret platform 9¾ located by passing through the brick wall barrier between platforms 9 and 10.And with Kings Cross/St. Pancras station within a 5 minute walking distance from Hannah's flat I often rode past the stations on the number 214 or 205 bus or walked past it on foot. Hannah spent A LOT of time at the British Library which was just east of the station. I often met her at the concorse outside after a long day of research.
Unfortunately, platforms 9 and 10 are in a separate building from the main station; also, rather than being adjacent so that a barrier could be between them, they are separated by two intervening tracks. Rowling intended the location to be in the main part of the station, but misremembered the platform numbering. During an interview in 2001, she indicated that she had confused King's Cross with Euston. In fact, platforms 9 and 10 at Euston are also separated by two intervening tracks.
When the films were made, the station scenes took place within the main station, with platforms 4 and 5 renumbered 9 and 10. In the film of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the exterior of the adjacent St. Pancras station was used, as its Victorian Gothic façade was considered more impressive than the real King's Cross station.
"King's Cross" is the title of the 35th chapter of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which is set in a location resembling the station. The station is also featured in the epilogue of the same book, making it the final setting of the Harry Potter series.
Today, King's Cross Station still has no Platform 9¾, but it does have a ‘Platform 9a’ and a ‘Platform 9b’. The secondary building containing platforms 9 to 11 has been decorated with a cast iron ‘Platform 9¾’ sign, complete with a luggage trolley ‘stuck’ halfway through the wall as tribute to the book. A wrought iron 'Platform 9¾' gate used as part of the film set is preserved at the National Railway Museum.
One day Hannah and I were walking down our favourite street, Upper street, on a beautiful sunny day and we walk past this girl and we both grab each other's arms and stare at each other and realise we just walked past Emma Watson!!!!!! (AKA Hermoine from HP!) EEEEKKKKKK! I'm SO glad we were both able to see her and didn't miss it. She was so casual walking down the street listening to her ipod and about to catch a cab. Word on the street is that her dad has a house on the street somewhere. BEST DAY EVER!!!!!!!!
OLD SKOOL! Sami and I wayyyy back in the day!
I've also been to a bar where some of the HP scenes were shot but for the life of me I can't remember what the name was. Perhaps Hannah remembers or maybe Danielle because we took her there for the most AMAZING bangers and mash (sausage and mashed potatoes!!!) and perhaps I can wrile it out of them and update this later. And I do remember hearing that some scences were being shot near Picadilly Circus for one of the HP movies but of course I was at work and couldn't get down there to be an extra :( But for now, I'm off to stalk the trailer for the next HP movie due out November 19th. You better believe I will be there opening night! Click HERE for the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Trailer via youtube.com.
Hhaahah, your blog totally cracks me up :)
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