Last day of Spring break 2004

Friday would be my last day in London. It was a bit unerving to see the end of the break already. The order of the day was this: The British Museum, Tate Modern, Waterloo and Westminster, Buckingham Palace and then one last evening with Alan. 

The British museum
I decided to find this museum and got lost once again. I took the bus, which dropped me off in the middle of nowhere really. I had to ask someone and because the weather was so bad, there was noone for a while. I had a map but I was confused because there seemed to be a name changes in the streets or something. But I managed to follow someone and found the museum.

The building was very impressive and hosted different pieces from various civilizations. I didn't linger near the egyptian section, nor the several sculptures from ancient Greece. I was more taken by the structure of the building really. It was really huge and I could not stay too long because of what I wanted to visit during the day. So I took the metro to quickly get to my next museum.

Tate Modern

I passed by the building several times but never bothered to find the entrance. That day, I decided to go and took the bus once I got off the underground near St Paul. Trouble was the bus took me all the way in the constructions around the first floor. So I had to walk quite a bit before getting to a visitors entrance. It was really cold outside and drizzling rain so the plan was perfect for the day.

The building was an old power plant that they renovated to host diverse modern pieces. there were at least 5 floors and the first floor is a huge empty warehouse with lights dancing on the walls. So many people were just resting ont he floor, gazing at the mirror ceiling. This museum has a section relating the story of London through artifacts found in the Thames at different periods in time. That was pretty interesting. It also had various objects collected from Japan after the nuclear bombs.

I didn't go into the special features but I had a lot to see already.

Westminster

Westminster is another place that I visited very quickly becasue I didn't want to wait in line and it was cold outside. So I kind of took pictures outside and waited for the bus while avoiding being crapped on by bloody pigeons! 

Buckingham Palace

I really should have planned this visit earlier, but somehow I posponed it everytime. So here I was in the rain, walking to the palace like a pauper. It was so big and I didn't managet o find a visitors entrance (wait a min, you dont VISIT the place!). So on a rainy Friday afternoon, you could see this girl walking away from the palace in the rain. I managed to get off the big boulevard, and looking silly for too long, and got into this real awesome park (St James Park). It was like a dream, as it was so peaceful and some flowers were actually blooming. It was hard to believe that I was in a big city.

Although I was not in high spirits, it made me smile and sing in my head (Hunger and cold can do that to you!). I felt so happy all of a sudden, being in this park. The rain seemed to have stopped all of a sudden. I can't remember the name of the park, maybe St James, but I'm not too sure. After i got off the park, I followed this gentleman looking dude, who walked directly into the subway...just perfect. I was ready to go cheer up Alan.

The dinner

For my last evening, Alan decided to take me to where locals hang out. We got to Clapham South and started to investigate on the menus. We first got into this nice pub, and managed to get a corner of a round table (hihihi). I downed a smirnoff I think, or maybe a beer(?). And then we looked for food. We first ended up in a crowded oriental-style pub (I know, not very zen). And then we spotted this bistro at a corner and got in. The menu was very mouthwatering (huge burgers), so we settled in. I think the resto was the gastro, not sure though, I was pretty tipsy by then.

I ordered a burger and Alan ordered a steak. We also had a bottle of red wine, which we finished (unfortunately for me). The dishes were huge but I was so hungry and drunk that I ate it all, to the last tidbit. I was scared to stand up after that but I let the meal settle in my stomach and absorb the wine...hmmpfff....We had a really nice talk, about nothing and everything, one of those blissy moments when nothing really matters but the bubble into which you float.

After the (expensive) dinner (that ruined Alan), we went into a pub...now you wonder why? Well it was for dessert really, except instead I cannot remember what I had. All I know is that I managed to find a seat and that the smoke didn't even bother me anymore. We talked and talked and talked, and Alan was very sweet. We stayed until they kicked everyone out...it was quite late and I cannot even remember if we took the tube or the bus back home. That's how drunk I was. I could still talk though but my physical reactions were definetely slowed down.

We passed by a cab shop, to order for a cab to show up early in the morning to get me to the airport. Ahh so we got home by cab but Alan didn't trust him to show up in the morning ....quite practical really.

Back home, I jumped in the shower to get rid of the cigarettes smoke, and hung out with everyone in the living room. I was rather mellow/drunk/sleepy/very full. We were debating whether to sleep or not because my flight so early in the morning. But I fell asleep (nothing would have stopped me I think) and finally woke up beside Alan.

After that it was all running to pack, go to the airport, and painful goodbyes.

By the way a nice link for London is here.

Going to the Opera

National Galleries

It was Thursday and I decided to go to the opera. Well, it was kind of planned but all the ones I wanted to see were sold out at the Opera House.

In the morning though, I went to the National Galleries to visit the paintings mentioned in the Da Vinci Code. It has quite an elaborated collection on the impressionists as well, but I didn't like their selection of renaissance sculptures. Anyway, it was all good and I even managed to stay for hours in the computers department to learn more about some of the paintings. I just love to read the stories depicted by the paintings, and explore all the symbols used in the pieces.

One Botticelli painting in particular was pretty funny. I think the title was Venus and Mars.

And the explanantion was that they had just made love and Mars is so exhausted and snoring his day out. Now, that was a surprising interpretation! I must say Venus looked pretty calm and very composed, while Mars had totally lost it. He even surrendered his saber to the little satyrs... 

At the English National Opera

I managed to get tickets at the ENO for one of the Wagner ring series for 10 pounds each. It is just off Leicester Square, not far from Trafalgar square and the national galleries. So I met Alan after work and headed for the ENO. on our way though, Alan had to grab some food because the poor thing had had no food all day. I really don't know how he manages to stay up all day, I can barely think without my food every 4 hours! Anyway we went into a McDonalds a few blocks from Trafalgar square I think. It was a fancy one too. And as we walked briskly to the ENO, we passed by a movie theatre (probably the Piccadily Circus one, my directions are all mixed up), and there were tons of people attending the premiere of Starsky and Hutch. They were waiting for the actors to arrive, but we could see all those people with the posters of the movie, hanging out on the borders of the red carpet. I was tempted to hang around too, for a bit of the excitement. But the opera was way more interesting because it was one of those rare things to do.

So we got at the ENO like 5minutes before curtains, and got up there, on the balcony. The theatre was great, all very classical, with all the architectural baroque details. I mention that because the Rhinegold was a piece that was very surprising in this space.

The Rhinegold was the name of the piece and we didn't know anything about it. I knew it was a Wagner piece and therefore I would know some songs, but I had no idea what the story was about. When the curtains lifted, we were faced with a sparkling light curtain and 3 girls, in sparkling blue flapper dresses and blue short wigs, pole dancing on stage! Now THAT was an ouverture worth mentionning! Needless to say it was riveting. I was wondering what I got ourselves into, but Alan looked like he liked it so it was all good.

On the surface, the story was hilarious. These 3 ladies were pole dancing, then there is a mad scientist in some underground green lab wearing a huge diving helmet and dealing with lots of tubes. Then there is an apartment with a couple of mad characters, arguing against each other. It also involved a bathroom, with a bathtub. And at some point the helmet is stolen and the people in the apartment open their ceiling and have long firetubes going up throught the ceiling door. Also, in a scene, the bathtub is stolen...now it was rather baffling and I laughed half the piece! The singing was in English and the costumes were 20th century suits and jeans. 

When trying to make sense of it all, it appeared that maybe the Rhine had something precious in it, and that somehow the mad scientist had managed to mate its power. But among the crazy family, trouble was around and somehow the power went into the wrong hands. I am still trying to make sense of the stealing of the bathtub....(help!).

For more details, it is better getting a proper explanation from the script. One description is available here for example. All in all, it was excellent entertainment. The chairs were comfy, although there were barely room in front for the legs. We had a great view from the balcony and I didn't even need my binoculars that I bought at the london Aquarium(which were missing the lenses!..five pounds down the drain!).

We got home laughing and I swear, crashed again like dummies...too much excitement

A perfect evening at the V&A Museum

Wednesday (March 10), I finished the Da Vinci Code by Dan brown and attempted a walk around town. The goal was to visit the Notting Hill area. So off I went, always ending up in weird places because I would get off the subway at random stations and find out what was above.

I cannot remember the exact route I took but eventually I was at Notting Hill. It was not busy at all because it was a weekday. So I would get into a shop to warm up and see the vintage/second hand clothes. I really enjoyed trying out some of these outfits. It was like carnival in winter and getting a totally new crazy look on a whim. There were also a couple of shops with indian shawls and glittery stuff.

One shop had the most outrageously ugly dresses in my opinion. Denim dresses or skirts, with appended frousfrous with various motifs. Well, the shop owner assured me those were totally hip and on the runways. I assumed therefore that the price wouldn't be worth looking at! But it was entertaining how creative she was.

All in all, the eighties were definitely back. I was almost expecting Johny Depp in his mohawk style, and all the Fame's cast to stroll in the streets....I, on the other hand, was not too excited to dress the way I did back then...you don't want to see how THAT looked like (psychedelic) 

While getting out of that flashback shop, I was approached by this man who, of course, used the most common pick up line in my case: "Where are you from? Are you from the Phillipines? (or Sri lanka/Cambodia, etc..)" I kind of nodded and fled to the next shop. Later on, maybe 30min later, while I was walking to the nearest bus stop, I passed by this big white house, and the guy was beckoning me and yelling "hellooo" to invite me in. Seeing that I was not coming, he got downstairs and asked me for lunch. Well, I was getting cold and frankly, he didnt look like a murderer (hum...bad assumption, right?) 

So we went into this coffee shop, and I had something to nibble as well. I so invented my life again right there, like a complete mythomane. Something about being on holiday and living in France really. The objective as usual was to convey that I am somehow familiar with the place and not lost alone. Anyway, after that I left the poor guy (cannot even remember his name, how lame).

I was to meet Alan and I also wanted to visit Harrods, again. That Harrods is a total museum is an understatement. Unlike la Samaritaine in Paris, it has a very kitch style. Everything is so overdone, but well done also. I was tempted to take pictures but then I was alone so couldnt really capture that beautiful kodak moment.

After a while I got out of that stuffy place, but not before salivating in front of the chocolat department.

Victoria & Albert Museum

The V&A museum is only a few blocks away from Alan's work. So we got in there and had a pleasant surprise. It turned out that on Wednesdays, there is a little soiree at the museum. A Chamber music was playing in a corner of the lobby and a wine bar was serving by the glass to museum goers. In the lobby, a glass structure was hanging from the ceiling, over the heads of half drunk people chilling on the several sofas.

There were also several seminars going on. The building was very beautiful, with a full decorated dome and long galleries. We strolled around in the asian department then got the word that we had to leave our glasses at the bar..oops! After that we went upstairs, took some pictures from the balcony and ended up in the metal department, or was it the technology department? Anyway, there were a couple of stations with activities. And we hung out in the silver craftsmanship station. Alan used one machine to make an impression on a silver coin-like thing and gave it to me...It was a very nice evening, and we stayed until pretty late.

On our way back home, Alan decided (or was it me?) to go for the curry place across the street. And what a feast we had! I have never eaten so much...except at a buffet. The mango lassi was real good too, and we were so hungry we really stuffed ourselves. Seriously, what a day! Just perfect...and the apartment was not far so we dragged ourselves across the street, and crashed...I was having way too much fun!

Bagel shops by night in Brick Lane

Covent garden

Tuesday morning, I believe I just stayed home, grabbed some sandwich and wandered in Covent garden again. I located the Royal Opera and was devastated to see that all of the shows were sold out, and that they only had real expensive tickets left. I took the ballet program anyway, and a brochure of the opera. The cashier kindly directed me to the English National Opera (ENO) instead, where the Ring season was starting. And Alan was supposed to meet me there. So I stood in front of the station exit, like so many people. Occasionally I would go into the next door bookstore and browse. 

 

We got into a Cafe Nero (the Starbucks equivalent), and just read for a while. I got some muesli bar and a mocha (getting addicted to coffee), and enjoyed the bustling crowd around. I could get used to this, but then again I was on a spring break mood.

Brick Lane
So after the sun set, we took the Tube to Brick lane, where according to Alan, the best bagels in the world were. We walked passed a number of indian and Pakistani restaurant, and I got hungrier as they advertized their dishes. The call of the curry....irresistible! The area was a bit scary by night though, and I sure would never walk there by myself. It was a bit like the way I pictured Diagon Alley...
The bagel place was in a very dark street. Alan took a dozen, and 2 others with meat, while I took one with herring, and another one with salmon and cream, my favorite. Oh I miss it so much! Stinky breath me did not care. We got home and crashed.

Getting lost a zillion times

Lost, lost and lost again!

So the sky was blue and the sun was shining brightly on Monday morning when I opened my sticky eyes. Alan left me the keys and everyone else went to work already. Not feeling like a bum, I slowly took a shower, and realized the sun went hiding behind mountains of clouds. So much for the happy feeling then. 

The plan for the day was to go to the London bridge area and then attend a lunch concert near Greenwich. I took off at Bank station, and got lost in the area. I walked towards St Paul cathedral, hoping to find the Barbican area and grab some programs of the month. Alas, the thing was closed for renovation. On my way back, I managed to get a glimpse of the Millenium bridge and the outline of the Tate Modern. 

For some reason I got lost in the meander of some obscure streets and so I walked back, got lost again, and had to take a bus for an unknown destination. I just hopped off at the nearest Tube station to go to Canary Wharf station, South of London. 

Greenwich concert

I cannot remember the exact station I had to take off afterwards, as I was walking, feeling lost again in the big business area. Tall glass constructions, imposing men and women in business suits, and no signs to direct me. I managed to end up in the Greenwich area, and finally got some visual queues as to where to go. Besides, there were number of tourists in the same situation so I just followed the crowd and ended up at the old naval college. Not sure of its full name anymore, but it looked ancient. 

Roaming about, I stopped a young woman, carrying a violin case and asked her for the Painted Hall. Well, she was going there so I just followed her....fair enough, I was the only under 30 year old person in there, apart from the performers. It was a nice and peaceful concert, the ones attended by retired old couples, friends of the performers, and me...Most of the pieces were from British composer as well as German composers from the 15th century.

By the end of the concert, I was starving and very far away from any cheap food place. I admired the old boat anchored near the Naval college, then rushed in the Tube again to go to Camden town. That place left such an impresion on me, I was ready to be there again!

Camden Town

I regret not having taken a single picture from this area. This is definetely my favorite place in London. I strolled along the cool souvenir shops, and the weird nails and leather shops. There were less stands in the market area but the PussyCat shop was open and I tried on several sweaters. They had very cute and sexy tops too but the weather did not make me feel sexy at all. So I took a black and pink sweater, perfectly comfy to warmup my freezing upper body.

Afterwards, I just sat down with a salmon bagel, alone and with no cute boys to spy on....(sigh). Ah well, the Indian dudes were hailing at me for their food, but I was not up for curry.

In Harrods

After Camden town, it was still early to go pick up Alan. So in order to just get closer to the area, I ended up in Harrods. The outside of the building can be dissapointing, but the inside was definetely out of this world. There were so many things in there, like a whole big room full of chocolate delicatessen...such a torture to just pass by. So I took the Egyptian escalator, pretended to be interested in designer clothes, took some perfume samples, and refused to be given a free make over...maybe I should have...

Anyway, I got dizzy and rushed to the bathroom...well, the ladies' room is a luxurious boudoir, with several bottles of perfume lined up for the clientele. I sprayed up with one of them, and went out of the building for some fresh cold air. I started to walk towards Kensington in the sunset, and it was very nice. I passed by some Museums, and got lost again. I even ended up near the Ecole Francaise..like I was stalking some pre-puberty boys out of school! Very funny. I asked for direction and after watching with envy the clean white residence of the rich and wealthy, finally found the South Kensington station. After calling Alan, I proceeded to Marsden Hospital.

Marsden Hospital

Believe it or not,the receptionist gave me the directions to Alan's lab, but I ended up in the mammography department, and in some other labs. It was a bit bizarre to access those facilities, where nurses and scientists were manipulating blood and tissues. So I retreated to the reception area again and begged for help...hahahahha,a severe case of orientation-deficit-disorder.

Food food at last!

Alan was a bit worried as he waited for about 20min for me to come up to his lab. But I finally made it and we got ready for some food hunting. We took the bus to Fulham broadway area, and got into a noodle shop. My palate was ready for some noodle soup, and already tasting the Chinatown food. It was cheap, quick and real good. The perfect comfort food after all those adventures. And I was real happy to see Alan again. So after some good food binge, we headed home. I might have just finished the Da Vinci Code book and proceeded with my book: Umberto Eco's "Foucault's Pendulum"..some complex secret society mystery, a bit similar to the Dan Brown story but in way too much brain-wrecking.

Spending a cold afternoon in Covent Garden

Covent Garden

If my first day started late, my second day (Sunday) started even later. I didn't hear H&M leave the flat. But we were to meet them for lunch. So in a bit of a rush, we hopped on the train and into the Tube for Covent Garden. It was not at all the way I imagined it. Of course, there were a lot of people, tourists and locals. It seems to be the perfect rendez-vous point for most people. 

Most well-known, quality brands have a shop there: H&M, Morgan, Mango, FCUK, ...and the little shops in the small streets around the market are so exciting. No need to look at the prices though, it would just ruin the moment.

We looked for a restaurant/bistro where the twosome went to meet their friends. We finally found the place, in a much deserted street. But it was a real upscale mussels bar I believe (Belgo). We got stopped by the hostess at the door, asking us for a reservation. We ended up waiting for the others outside.

Probably 4 of them came out, having finished lunch. Somewhat a relief actually because I could not afford mussels on a hangover! We went into a pub....yes, a real first for me, and got some pasta and sandwich. I got myself a 3 cheese pasta dish, just to recover from the cheeseless pizza I had earlier...A girl has got to live!

We then just hung out window shopping: H&M, Morgan, some underwear shop, Zara. Spring outfits were already out in the shops, and it was a bit frustrating to see all those nice pretty flowery light clothes when the weather was still so damn cold. After dragging along the boys for some window shopping, we settled on a neat cafe that had very comfortable lounge sofas.

We stayed there for a long time, digesting and warming up. I cannot remember the subjects of conversation because I was concentrating so hard to understand everyone. At some point, I think there were some game going on, where you were supposed to find something within eyesight...like "I see Cosmo" and one had to figure out that some far away patron had Cosmo magazine peering out of her purse or something. They were all very nice and chattery, I was feeling like sleeping, so I took a huge mocha....which just accelerated my heartbeat and left me panting. Ah well, around 4pm, H&M decided to leave and I asked for a hug from everybody..silly me. We had fun together, and I don't know when I'm going to see them again. So that was my last memory of them. 

With Alan, we just strolled away to Trafalgar Square I believe, which was not far away. It's a bit like Times Square in NYC but with less giant screens and human traffic. I cannot remember where else we went, as I forgot to make a journal entry that day.

We went home eventually and chatted with the roomies. We even went to bed early, before midnight I suppose, since Alan had to work the next day. And I had started the Da Vinci Code, so I was hooked like captain Haddock.

Attending my first ever rock concert

My first day in London started rather late, almost in the afternoon. I was hoping to go to a flea market since it was a Saturday. Alan brought me O.J. in bed, and that was even more surreal. That hadn't happened to me in a long long time. But then also, it kind of embarrassed me a bit, because you know, I had my eyes barely opened, my hair all messed up, and I admit it, was not fully awake yet. 

Around Victoria station

It's hard to remember the mood at that time, but in a haze I got ready to get out of the house. No major plans, just getting around. I got myself a week pass, with an ID picture and all.

Victoria Station was a must, and the surroundings. We walked past that Westminster Abbaye, or was it just a Cathedral? and we ended up in front of the Parliament and the tall tower with the clock. 

I managed to take a picture in front of the abbaye, and there were also 3 London cabs there but I did not take their pictures, silly. Everything seems like from a silent movie now, I know there were noises and other people, but I can only remember things as faint old pictures, and people walking briskly like in the old movies....funny. We proceeded towards the bridge and now I remember how windy and cold it was. Across the Thames, there was the Aquarium and the London Eye. As much as l'Arc de Triomphe and La Tour Eiffel represent France and Paris, that Parliament clock and the London Eye sure represent London in every commercial, movie, brochure about the UK. So we walked back towards Charring Cross, past Derring street, where the war cabinet is supposed to be. We also walked around a green park and got onto Trafalgar square. We rushed back to a tube station...It was very confusing and I was lost. 

Camden town

Camden town is my favorite place in London so far. It has all the shops you want, from very eccentric to classy, and at every price you could think of. The weather was rather gloomy and cold, so we walked to a pub, for a drink and bathroom access. It was a real nice pub. It reminded me of the pub back in Germany (Hamburg or Koln).

We then got into the market area where several crafts and second hand clothes shops were lining up...so exciting! A total shopping dreamland...I could just spend my day out there. Alan was looking for a jacket, I was just browsing like a princess in wonderland...Well, a hungry princess...so we looked for food and settled for a Thai menu. It wasn't too impressive, too tame in taste, not spicy enough...We sat in a bench area surrounded by weird shops. There was one that had all sorts of items made from beer cans...from picture frames, to candleholders. 

Alan got a jacket and after several phone calls, we headed back home to meet Hannah and her boyfriend. We were supposed to meet at the house around 6 or 7pm if I remember. It was a long ride home and I was very sleepy. 

We got some pasta, tomato sauce, gum and grape from the local grocery store...did I mention all the chicken sandwich places? Anyway, back to the house...I fell on the couch in the living room and blacked out...

Saturday concert: The Libertines
Next thing I know, I was meeting this cute short haired blondish girl called Hannah and her boyfriend Michael. He was even taller. hmm...not getting distracted...so I got changed and by 7pm we were on our way to the bus to Brixton Academy. We hopped on those London buses, and yes, sad enough I missed the exit jump...A bit awkward on the landing too. I didnt know those buses don't even slow down to let you jump off! Anyway, we got to the concert place. Funny thing, there was an entrance for the ladies (handbag check) and another for the gents.

The bar was the first thing to be located, and then the bathrooms. They got me schnapps, and everybody else got beer.  When we got into the theatre, the band started to play and a band with a singer called Wolfman was doing the opening for the Libertines. It was really groovy, I like it a lot. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name of the opening band.
After a while they introduced the Libertines and the crowd went mad. There was no use for seats, for everyone were standing and singing along. I knew 2 songs during the concert. it was really nice and loud...my first ever rock concert. And yeah, I was the only brown person in that building.

Saturday night FEVERRR
After the concert we went to the Royal College student center, near the Thames, because they had organized this dance night. The place had an awesome, incredible, magnificent panoramic view of the Thames and London. We got some colorful drinks at the bar for a mere 3 pounds. I probably had a Long Island Ice Tea, or a Tia Maria; in any case, the effect was immediate.

Music was good, not at all the type of music playing in Blacksburg. People were not dancing much though. There were a lot of wallflowering, standing in the middle of the floor and just tapping feet to the music...It didn't take me long to dance like a crazy woman. Beside, I had nothing to loose really, apart from my clothes! I'll probably have to behave better if I live there..you know, proper dating/hunting manners...

I even had to tie my hair with my scarf, I was in sweat from dancing like a maniac. Fortunately, as more people got drunk (...took them a while), the floor was filling up with strange dancing. At least dancing was on! I vented out all my worries and stress, and visited the bathroom several times (met some french chicks there). I even managed to dance a full swing dance with Alan, which knocked my cup off the floor...sniff

By the way, there were a couple of cuties out there, but I was way too much into the dancing mood, I kind of didn't care if I stepped on anyone's toe or bumped into somebody else's boyfriend (oops, not on purpose of course!). I danced so much, it actually hurt my feet not to dance. I had to keep moving them. So by the time we decided to leave the place, I was having a case of "bloody toes puree"...
We walked along the Thames for a while, debating whether a cab was worth it. With the stinging cold and the aching feet, the boys managed to hail a cab, and we finally drove home. We lined up for a shower and went to sleep. Interesting sleeping arrangements: Hannah and Mike on the sofa near the window and I took the right side of Alan's bed. I am not sure Alan actually came up to bed. I have a feeling he slept downstairs in the living room...Besides, there were some personal reasons too to stay away from a certain couple....hmmm hmmm hmm, my lips are sealed.

Setting off for London, March 2004

My trip to London was planned in August 2003 but then got postponed for different reasons (silly reasons like being broke). And so finally, in December 2003, I managed to 'save' enough to buy a cheap ticket in advance online for Spring Break 2004. So there I was trying to finish projects well before deadline...ambitious! 

And so on Thursday March 4, I hopped on the Greyhound bus to New York City, for a 12h trip...My plane was from JFK at 9am the next day, so I had to be in NYC by 5am. Fortunately the bus from DC was very fast and we got to Port Authority, NYC around 4:30am. Well, it turned out the Metro station where I was did not have a line E access. So I took the 7 till 42nd, then change for the uptown to 51st street to get the E (not important details, right?). Well, in all that I got picked up by a 23 year old guy from Peru, trying to go uptown, and too drunk to remember his way home. At 5am there wasn't much to keep me entertained or awake. 

Finally I got to JFK, and used that AIRTrain again. There was a pretty huge line for the check in stations, but It allowed me to eye the cute guy in front of me. Of course he was totally unattainable, being all smartly dressed and so casually elegant. I suppose I missed that elegant style, being surrounded with nerds in shorts all the time. While waiting for the plane, I indulged in the London guide from Time Out. My host would be working all day so I had to plan for solo wanderings and adventures. And like for every trip, I was happy to escape the worries and homeworks of being on campus. The trip was uneventful. 

I cannot remember the movies on board, except for the 'Triplet de Belleville', a nice piece of animation with a catchy soundtrack. Of course, 'Love Actually' was also on. 

I was a bit worried about the trip because I had no idea what to expect, from the person who was supposed to bear me for a whole week. We hadn't seen each other in 2 years, and we didn't quite know each other that well. But the unknown has always excited me so there I was, thousands feet in the skies, flying towards London, city of fish 'n chips I thought, with people with funny accents. 

I also pondered the idea of staying there forever, since France was so close and school was becoming awfully boring. Once I landed in Heathrow, I recognized terminal 3..souvenir from Yemen trip...hehehe...and ahh the anticipation of finding a familiar face among all these people waiting outside..

And there he was, with a smirk, taller than I remembered. It was surreal, and I felt silly being there, or was it just the jet lag? After all the laughs, few jokes and news, we went to...a pub...yeah, just right there, in the airport. Anyway, I was immersed right into the pub culture. As a good girl, I had a coke....

On the way to the city, while Alan was getting the tube tickets, I almost got killed but hordes of people running to get the tube...My goodness, you really have to keep your ...right...left...or is it right? Anyway I had to pick a side and I picked it wrong...but it was so confusing so I kept being pushed around.  

 

We took the metro, it was fairly late already, maybe 9pm, so we just went to his place, Norbury is the name. I was surprised at how narrow the wagons were. And even more when I saw all the chicken places in the streets. This was chicken city...so many fried chicken or chicken burger places. We stopped to grab a cheese-less pizza (yup!) and headed to the apartment. 

 

I met with the roomies and visitors. At this point I forgot their names, shame on me, but there was one Scottish dude I could NOT understand at all. Just the accent made me laugh and the fact that I was trying so hard to figure out what the heck he was saying was even funnier. The ladies from New Zealand were charming, and I believe their names were Megan, Fiona and...ah well, I cannot remember. 

 

Maybe the guys' names were Michael and Matt...it's not important. I remember how they look like at least. Oh yeah, Toni and Megan....

I soon went to bed, near the window, in the attic. Alan insisted I took his bed while he would sleep on the couch near the window. Being tired as I was, I did no argue and enjoyed the 'guest' honor. The next day was promising to be mega busy and I was longing for some sleep. It felt incredible to be in London, and I knew it would be funny trying to fit in.