First Day in London

I made a few mistakes as I disembarked on my "business" trip to London. First, I misread my flight information and arrived at the airport at 2:30pm for what I thought was a 4:30pm flight when in fact it was a 6:30pm flight. Fortunately, I had work to do and an upgrade on my computer to download to eat up the hours.

Second, I neglected to bring cash or a means of obtaining cash. This is not such a great burden in this credit card world, unless you want some things local. More later on that subject.

Third, I booked what I thought was a roomy seat on a relatively empty plane. Unfortunately, those roomy seats came with the inabiliy to lift the arm rest.

Three mistakes are not so bad. It has been a fabulous trip as you will see as follows.

I arrived in London at 8:30am. I was very proud that I was able to sleep or keep my eyes closed in sleep breathing mode for nearly 4 hours on the plane. After a cup of coffee I felt relatively refreshed and raring to go in my travels.

The morning was foggy and cold which cut down on the views on my train ride from the airport. However, the fog did add to the londony feel of the place.

I arrived in my hotel room around 11am local time. I was armed with a tube card and Frommer's guide to touring London in one day. My hotel was also kind enough to provide information about the sites on so near.

I attempted to see the Winter Gardens and Cardinal Place but missed them. So, my first stop was Westminster Cathedral followed fairly quickly by Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliment and Big Ben. I was amazed (and comforted) at the number of tourist. It made my self portraits less weird.

I had intended to pass on No. 10 Downing Street, but ended up on the backside of the scenic view. They no longer allow anyone to walk down Downing Street other than security guards and maybe Gordon Brown.

I made my way past some really cool buildings on my way to Trafalgar Square. There were scores of tour groups on the square climbing on things and having their picture taken. Frommers warned me that the pigeons were out of control in the square (see picture of stature with pigeon on head), but they seemed more interested in large groups.

I made my way to the National Gallery. Yes, I know you could spend at least two weeks in the National Gallery without seeing everything. My guide book gave me the helpful advice of choosing 10 pieces to seek out and then decide to leave. I did not really choose 10. I wanted to see Van Goah's Sunflowers and I correctly assumed it would surrounded by some pretty impressive Seurat's, Monet's, Cezanne's, Degas and Renoir. Along with others that I don't know well enough to recall from the top of my head. There was an exibit held over until TODAY (fate). It was two paintings, Diana and Acetaeon (1556) and The Death of Actaeon (1565), both Titians. Amazing. Now I understand why those paints were so deadly to the artist.

As I made my way to Covent Garden and Jubliee market I came upon a fair. The Covent Garden was kicking with lots of funny live entertainment and great people watching. There was also a large arts and crafts festival. So, many absolutely gorgeous handmade items. Unfortunately, they were all being sold for cash (see above mistake #2).

By this time I have walked into a couple of pubs looking for at least a pint, if not fish & chips. They were all extremely full and not all that interested in serving a single chick. I was very hopped up on tourist adrenaline so did not bother to eat or drink anything.

Next up, trip on the tube to walk the Mall and the scenic view to Buckingham Palace. St. James gardens/park was along the way. This was a fairly long and enjoyable walk. I was plaining on getting to the Tower of London, but it was requested that I visit Harrod's for a specific souvenir.

Before I go further I want to emphasize that I was tired and had not eaten. I got miserably lost in my venture to find Harrod's. When I finally corrected my mistake it was pretty late in the day and again I had not eaten. But I must say - NEVER NEVER visit Harrard's around Christmas time. The place is pretty amazing - and it truly a maze. I was disappointed not to find what I was after.

I then expertly maneuvered through the tube and found myself at a suggested pub near my hotel. The pub was packed. I gave in and entered the restaurant upstairs. There was absolutely no one but me and the waiter and bar tender. They do not serve fish and chips at the restaurant. They do serve some abstract adaptation of fish and chips (waiter's words not mine). I was ready for some bar food so I ordered a pint and British lasagne. The beer was divine and I caught a nice buzz from being sleep and food deprived. The food was salty and cheesy and at this late time it was all I really wanted. The wait staff pointed me in the direction of the best place to buy a bottle of wine and I was on my way to my spa tub in my hotel room.

By the way, all the service staff in London seem to be English speaking foreigners. Does anyone know why? I thought it was odd.

So that was it for day two. It look about 7 hours. I am tired but ready for my whirlwind tour tomorrow. For now, I am headed for they tub and a glass of wine.