After the longest 20 minutes ever, we landed, and got off the plane. I took my time getting out of the airport, selecting several times to separate myself from the crowd of people getting off the plane, tram, or whatever, so I could walk with some space around me.
I got through the entry point, and sat at the baggage carosel to rest for a little before finally getting out of customs and to the Ground Transportation area. I bought a card to use the Underground and other transport things in London, and sauntered onto the tube. The one I needed ends at a place called "Cockfoster", which amused me a lot, because I am a 13 year-old boy*.
I felt a little uncomfortable during the entire trip, mainly because I knew that I could not possibly smell good, yet there were other humans sitting next to me. I was really sad that I had no connection to mobile networks, because I had so much snarky commentary that could not be shared. My favorite was in reaction to a couple that got on the tube: 'Apparently, some people wake up every day and think "Today, I'm going to dress like a stereotype**!'"
Eventually, the Picadelly line got to my transfer station, then I got to Oxford Circus and went to the street. I had NO IDEA how to get to my hostel, and just stood and watched people for a while. Then I began to walk down the street with the goal of getting some food. I turned right at one point and found a place that serves breakfast, yet does not mention it on their menu. I was so utterly confused, but the woman that worked there was great, and I had sausage, ham, a fried egg, toast, and coffee.
I was also finding the mere presence of other humans on the street highly irritating, it was humid, and having hot coffee did not help. But everything was to get better soon...
It turned out that I went in the right direction to get to my hostel, checked in, locked up my stuff, and went to the lounge to get online. After a short time online, realizing that all of my friends were still asleep, I locked up my computer and set out initially to just get shampoo and power adapters. I did get to a shop to get shampoo easily, and found the Brits very happy for random chatter, which is actually my specialty.
I got a gift for my mom, and a gift for Co-Worker, and it was raining. In the course of trying to find a store with an umbrella, I became lost in the West End. I did find the M&Ms store, which is incredibly excessive. I grabbed some photos.
I left the store without spending money, but picked up some souvenirs along the street. Can you guess where I found myself next?
.
.
Sure you can't?
.
.
.
I mentioned one in DC...
.
.
.
.
Keep thinking...
.
.
.
I know you know
.
.
.
.
I bet you'll be pissed that you didn't get it
.
.
.
.
.
LONDON CHINATOWN!
I guess that I didn't even know that one existed, and was overjoyed because now I know where I can go to get food that I want to eat. However, the sesame bun I got was a little sub-par... We'll see how the Dim Sum stacks up out here tomorrow.
Then I continued to wander until I found myself in Picadilly Circus, immediately bringing scenes from Gorgo to mind. No, not the former vice-president's unimaginative campaign slogan, the British attempt at the Godzilla movies from the mid-20th century. ("Then TANKS are brought in to crush the doll!").
MST3k quoting aside, I continued to amble, then thought that I should check out the National Gallery, and attempted to make my way there. I actually went the wrong way the first time, but soon was back on track. When I got there, I realized that I was in Trfa-something square, and could see Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.
Then I went into the National Gallery and saw many famous paintings, and more paintings of "Virgin and Child" than I thought existed. A Van Gogh painting captivated me, as did the gold, tri-panel alters. But eventually, I just wanted to get to the gift shop, buy my souveniers, and get out. Unfortunately, I had gotten lost in the building. Fortunately, this allowed me to see art that I missed, including a Monet of trains arriving at a station, which was one of 12. I saw another one at the Chicago Institute of Art last year too.
To summarize the rest of the day, after the National Gallery, I went in the direction of Big Ben, past
The Canadian Embassy
The New Zealand Embassy (I think) and a London Duck
The South African Embassy
Buildings seen as I wandered in the direction of Big Ben
Big Ben
My grandmother's least favorite person
The only statue that people seemed to want to be photographed with
I can't remember what this all was, but these photos were taken in the same general area
Then I went across the bridge on the River Thames, and looked at things.
I was going to get an apartment there, but there weren't any available when I was looking
There were people there, standing in and around a small, circular track, with a camera on it, filming a movie. I decided to make my own little video of them doing that, then my walk under the road to the other side. I was also looking for food that wasn't of the meat&potatoes variety, and finally settled on getting a simple sandwich and bottled water from a shop. I sat on a concrete step that was holding up one of the little one-eyed sprites that were put up for the Olympics, and ate my sandwich.
The Eye of London
I was so tired at this point, and decided not to go up on the Eye of London, since if was such a crappy day (actually, the guy working the register where I bought the sandwich pointed out to me that it wouldn't be a good idea). Instead, I tried to get postcard stamps, and failed, and then got directions back to Oxford Circus that I didn't use. Instead, I walked in the opposite direction of the directions I got, and went through Jubilee Gardens.
Then I headed over a couple of foot bridges. I finally got a glimpse of that one building that is shaped like a pointy egg, but still had no idea where the Tower of London was.
After that, I finally got on the tube to Oxford Circus. After wandering around a lot, I got a UK thing to plug my USB cords into, and finally got back to my hostel. I showered and settled in for a nap. My roommates arrived, and I continued to nap until 10pm. At about 11, I went to the lounge to go online and read and post. Day 6 ends with me at 2:02am (on the 16th), closing up shop and heading back to bed.
* for strangers reading this, I am not actually, I just seem to act like one, I guess
** Actually, this is completely unfair, and applies to a lot of people that I didn't consider when making up the statement (i.e. white guys wearing suits), but I still want to share it
No comments:
Post a Comment