London, part 2

Actually, more like part 1-B.  The half-day I spent here two-ish weeks ago only kind of counts.  I’m a little amazed that I made it this far…there and back again as it were.

A few things you might like to know:

• I have always appreciated the blessing of homegrown food…and that is all the more true now.  In Bath, I spent £1 on perhaps half a pint of (huge) raspberrries.  This was a decision I deliberated long over–passing the fruit stand twice before deciding to return and fork over the cash (or coin rather).  Unable to wait until I reached the park I was going to sit at, I bit into a berry…and promptly wondered what was in my mouth.  Certainly it only resembled my favorite fruit in appearance.  In taste, it was almost entirely lacking, and where present there lingered a chemical bite.  Ick!  (oh how sad I am to have missed the fresh peaches, nectarines and plums from home)
• Unlike previously assumed–I can find myself completely lost.  Well…not completely…I did know I was in the West End .  Normally I at least know directions, if general, however this evening when searching for the Garrick Theatre where I would watch Zorrow (loved, btw), I found myself completely surprised to walk into Leicester Square.  Of course, then I asked for directions to the theatre, which turned out to be 100 yards down the street, and post-play left via Leicester Sq. tube…but I did have that brief glimpse at what it’s like to be really lost
• For those of you wondering, yes, I did make it to the Doctor Who museum…which really didn’t amount to much…but hey, I took tons of pictures of myself pretending to be afraid of a Weeping Angel or Dalek (and a picture with David Tennant’s suit haha).  Would have been more fabulous to have someone to take pictures with…they would have been much cooler then, but oh well…I managed hehe.
• I did, miraculously, manage to find Whitworth friends in Aberystwyth!  It was so wonderful to see people from home again   And with any bit of luck and coordination, I’ll see Kelly, Allison and Angela again in Paris!

Travelling around Britain has been amazing, but the next time I plan a trip, I vote for a more thorough stay instead of the general survey idea.  But this means I am greatly looking forward to “settling down” for a couple weeks in Paris.  Recently I’ve been nervous about being in a city for so long, but I’m loving London.  There is just so much to do and se!!  Pretty sure Paris will be amazing like that too.  And I’ll just have to find a sweet park to satisfy my need for solitude and the country.

PS thank you all so much for reading and commenting!!  I do read them all and, as is relevant, will try to email you back or post about it.

~ by Allison on Saturday, September 6, 2008.