I am in LOVE... with London! (Okay, I am a very bad blogger, quite sporadic, and I apologise.) To be in such energy w
as exhilarating - I felt like I was Home. Rode a Megabus in early last Friday morning, watched the fields zip by. When London outskirts began appearing, I could feel myself getting revved up, recharged. Off at Victoria Station, I navigated to the underground. While queuing up for my Oyster Pass (it can be "topped off" any time I return, and, oh yes, I
do plan to return!), I met 2 guys and chatted for awhile. On to my hotel (solo) to drop off my bag and off for an afternoon of freedom to explore this grand city. It couldn't be more perfect! To top it all off, the weather was perfect. None of that famous London rainy greyness. Not even a drizzle or mist. It was warm and sunny. I decided that this being my first time in London in - could it be? - 36 years, I would be happy to play tourist, different from my usual mode of "oh, I'm not
that kind of tourist". Not the ugly American type, but the camera-toting, ogling at famous sites type. Why not?
So, I trotted my way down the Strand and over to the Thames, crossed my first bridge, the Waterloo, and as a gift, received my first proper view of the glory of London. Could it get any better? Of course, I felt like Bridget Jones, post sex with Hugh Grant. Hmmm, a post-coital glow without sex... another subject. A wonderfully leisurely stroll along the Thames, beaming like a fool, attempting to reign in my grin, taking it all in, snapping photos all the while. I ended up walking for 5 1/2 hours, perfecting my blisters. Headed over to the Tate Modern, peered inside the fabulous structure and decided to save a gallery visit for my next trip, when it would probably warrant more indoor activities. Lunch at an outdoor cafe, right along the river, people watching galore. Afterwards, past the London Eye, tons of people out seeing the sights, a strip of "people statues", you know the kind that dress up to the max and take frozen positions. All at my own pace. Crossed the bridge near Big Ben and Parliament. They are gorgeous, impressive, and took my breath away. Over to Westminster, also awe-inspiring, and back up through Trafalgar Square with its older cousin versions of the New York Public Library lions. Trudged back to the hotel, hoping for a bit of a rest, but found out that I had 10 minutes to ready myself for our visit to the US Embassy, the reason for my visit to the fair city.
The visit to the Embassy was pleasant. Drinks, tidbits to eat, and a welcome to the UK for all of us Fulbrighters. There were the obligatory protesters outside, many causes being promoted, all quite civilly.
Being released to be on our own, five of us went on to an Indian meal at Covent Gardens. Lots of talk, most of which was a bit of a blur in my exhaustion by this point, and a taxi back to the hotel. Remember the fun of the old Checker cabs in NY? Well, London cabs have those jump seats. Shades of my childhood, although not too many cab rides for me back then, too expensive! Ah, sleep...
Next morning, much too early for my taste, breakfast at the hotel, full English breakfast buffet, beans, roasted tomatoes, eggs, meats of all kinds, etc, and a walk to the British Council. We spent the day with some UK Fulbrighters who had just returned from their year abroad, along with others from education here in the UK, discussing our experiences, frustrations, suggestions, etc. It gave me some food for thought, glad that I'm not alone in this boat. 3:00 - freedom! I felt like a kid getting out of school...
A run to Leicester Square to the local TKTS office, where four of us picked up tickets for Billy Elliot. Score! Decided to actually see what Covent Gardens looked like before the show, and to grab a bite to eat. I swear, I had to control myself from bursting out into "Wouldn't it Be Loverly", shades of Eliza Doolittle's ghost all over the place, hidden behind the modern accoutrement. There ac
tually was a sweet cart - Eliza's Sweets. Very lively and loverly. Funny, for dinner everyone chose to go to a Mexican Restaurant, so being docile, as you all know, I went along quietly. Had me a Corona and burrito - huh? Thought I was in London...
On to the show. I'd seen the film, remembered it as being sweet, but was not prepared for how wonderful the production was. It was fantastic! The play was even better than the film. I felt that two aspects were more emphasized, which really added to the story - the politics and the concept of treasuring individualities in everyone. Right up my alley. Plus the singing and dancing, the cast,
all were marvelous. Ah, a splurge on an evening well spent.
Now, a trudge to find our new digs for the night, a dorm at the London School of Economics, not in session as of yet, so open to the public. 23 pounds with breakfast! Amazing deal for London. Own room, small but clean, shared toilet and shower, perfectly adequate.
Next morning, after our chose-6-items breakfast, off to explore some more. Our numbers were dwindling. Dee left early for her 4-hour ride home. Rebekah went off to meet a friend. Then there were four. Kristin and her 14-year-old daughter, Mikela, and I hauled our bags to Victoria Coach Station for our return home later on, with Melissa in tow, to return to her outskirts of London home after our day.
First stop, Buckingham
Palace. (See, tourist stuff!) After realizing that the changing of the guards was to occur in 5 minutes, I grabbed Mikela and literally ran down the street through hoards of people (my New York maneuvering through crowds moves really come in handy at times). I had no idea where the front of the Palace was, so not being a man (apologies for the brief sexism), I asked directions from a Palace official. No changing today, there was a huge bicycle event through the city and guard changes were suspended until Tuesday. Rats! We still wanted to see the Palace, maybe catch a glimpse of royalty, etc, so headed over anyway. Masses of tourists everywhere, all crammed against the iron fencing and on the steps of the fountain facing the view. These poor people, no one had made an announcement, and it appeared that no one would, I realized, as the time ticked on. Okay, here's a Nancy. Using my best projecting voice, in my lovely New York accent, I took pity on the crowd and told them myself. It just seemed too cruel to leave these people smashed up, waiting. Then I asked if I could get in close for a shot of a Beefeater, when, of course, the jokes commenced about me making up the whole thing for a better spot at the fence! All in good fun - I'm learning to get a sense of humor at my own expense. I must admit, I do have a bit of a case of "you can
dish it out, but...".
A walk through the park, passing tons of bicyclists, including a great type of bike that omits the front wheel for a connection to a baby stroller instead, the obligatory photo in a London Phone booth, and on to Harrod's, the most ostentatious store I've ever been in.
Sunday dinner at the pub with my new friend Maya and her husband, Steve. When picturing a pub, I've always pictured drunken Brits, etc. Nothing like it here on Sundays. Families, babies, cozy fires, drinks, tea - very warm and civilized. We had a full leisurely Sunday dinner, kind of like Thanksgiving, at the Plymouth Arms in St. Fagans, surrounded by sweet families with young children, babies (who miraculously did not cry!) and grandparents. Afterward, we headed over to the outdoor Welsh Museum with actual buildings from all different parts of Wales, from all different time periods, starting with the Celts and up to the mid 1900's. It's on an old estate donated to the country for this purpose. It is truly beautiful and I actually learned a lot about the history of my adopted home.
A gorgeous arbor made up of some kind of vines on the grounds of the manor made me wish I'd brought along a book and blanket to sit and just be quiet. It was very serene...
