As the wheels of my Virgin Atlantic flight touched down at Heathrow, it dawned on me I had officially circumnavigated the globe. My around the world trip was technically over. To celebrate, I set myself up for a night at the rather posh Marriott in Grosvenor Square. Silver status y'all! After some of the places I stayed in Asia, I deserved a place where the doorman wore a top hat!
I must say finding myself back in Western society was refreshing. I had missed the entire Autumn, so I quite enjoyed the crisp, cool air and signs of the holiday season. Pushing through extreme jet lag and lack of sleep, I wanted to use the most of my three days in London. That afternoon I explored my neighborhood which just so happened to be the American quarter. John Adams stayed in the building directly across from my hotel. I assumed the statue in Grosvenor Square was Lord Grosvenor or something, but as I got closer, it revealed itself to be FDR. And there's Reagan and Ike! And wow, I'm right next to the American Embassy. Had no idea when I booked. I continued on to sate my fascination with Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park, but sadly the soap boxes stood empty. Spent the rest of the daylight up and down Oxford Street braving the holiday crowds in search of a proper winter coat and shoes that didn't smell like death. After 3 months backpacking, I was a bit south of presentable.
Early the next morning, another man in a top hat retrieved me from the Marriott lobby and took me to a large red bus. I was embarking on the nerdiest of tours, the Windsor Castle/Stonehenge/Bath circuit run by the redundantly named Evan Evans. Unbeknownst to me, and to the perturbation of a smattering of Spanish speaking guests, the day belonged to the Japanese. Perhaps some of the language seeped into my brain, as everything the unintentionally hilarious guide said, he repeated for the 95% of the bus hailing from the land of the rising sun. Thankfully, a cool Stanford kid on his way home from a semester in Spain served as solid company for the day.
Our stops were great. Windsor Castle's displays impressed and the clear, sunny morning weather shocked us all. The Queen was even in at Windsor, but for some reason she did not seek me out to say what's up. Rude.
Stonehenge can be viewed two ways - in its amazing and utterly mysterious grandeur, or as some stones that you circle around shivering and then leave. I feel bad for people who view it the second way. Some of the countryside around the monoliths is really pretty too!
I wish I could have spent more time in Bath. The museum was nothing all that special but the town looked gorgeous. Did my usual warp tour of the Roman exhibit, drank the legendary water, and then scoured the quaint, picturesque town for good coffee and blog-able pics.
The bus dropped me back near the Marriott later that evening. I retrieved my bags and waited for my delightful new friend Annie, whom I had met on the very first day of my trip in Rome, to pick me up. We went to a really fun little bar called Cafe Cairo and then for dinner she took me to a Pakistani place....after having spent a month in India, haha.
My first time through London this summer I viewed many of the classic outdoor attractions. For the winter visit, I planned on ducking into some world class museums. Took the tube to the Natural History Museum and then to the British Museum. Was pretty cool to start my trip with Ben at the Met and finish at the British Museum. I then walked around a bit, just soaking in London. I really, really like it there. So fulfilling to be in a place where you can walk down a random alley and come across a sign like the one below. Also rad seeing Keira Knightley. I think she winked at me!
Annie picked me back up in South London and after a few attempts, we found a good fish and chips pub. They really hit the spot for the last meal of the trip. Sadly, we did not top it off with her friend Tony's randomly hilarious vision of ice cream sandwiches (scoop of ice cream on normal bread, wtf?). As with so many people, I profusely thank Annie for her hospitality. Folks like her, Dennis and Karen, Lauren and Brea, Vicki and Justine, Kat, and various Toms made this trip extra special.
Sadly all good things must come to an end. I promised Linda D. I'd be home for Christmas and since I approach the threshold of cracking into my "do not touch" bank account, it seemed time to make good on that. I type this from the states and have already expertly assimilated back into American life. I've devoured a true burger (with peanut butter and bacon) and a beer with actual hops while doing the Three Men and a Baby routine at a bar with Sully, Shane, and little Levi. I rode the L successfully without having a sock full of poop flung at me. I witnessed for the first time the majesty of Ben McLemore in action. Saw a bald eagle soar while traversing icy back roads Iowa in the Wener mobile. And now sit by the tree, strange family cat stalking me, tin full of Topsy's beckoning, a world away from where I've been. Good to be back, yet I already miss it. Will wrap up the blog at the end of the week. Until then, happy holidays to you and yours!
I must say finding myself back in Western society was refreshing. I had missed the entire Autumn, so I quite enjoyed the crisp, cool air and signs of the holiday season. Pushing through extreme jet lag and lack of sleep, I wanted to use the most of my three days in London. That afternoon I explored my neighborhood which just so happened to be the American quarter. John Adams stayed in the building directly across from my hotel. I assumed the statue in Grosvenor Square was Lord Grosvenor or something, but as I got closer, it revealed itself to be FDR. And there's Reagan and Ike! And wow, I'm right next to the American Embassy. Had no idea when I booked. I continued on to sate my fascination with Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park, but sadly the soap boxes stood empty. Spent the rest of the daylight up and down Oxford Street braving the holiday crowds in search of a proper winter coat and shoes that didn't smell like death. After 3 months backpacking, I was a bit south of presentable.
Early the next morning, another man in a top hat retrieved me from the Marriott lobby and took me to a large red bus. I was embarking on the nerdiest of tours, the Windsor Castle/Stonehenge/Bath circuit run by the redundantly named Evan Evans. Unbeknownst to me, and to the perturbation of a smattering of Spanish speaking guests, the day belonged to the Japanese. Perhaps some of the language seeped into my brain, as everything the unintentionally hilarious guide said, he repeated for the 95% of the bus hailing from the land of the rising sun. Thankfully, a cool Stanford kid on his way home from a semester in Spain served as solid company for the day.
Our stops were great. Windsor Castle's displays impressed and the clear, sunny morning weather shocked us all. The Queen was even in at Windsor, but for some reason she did not seek me out to say what's up. Rude.
 |
| Schwing. |
I wish I could have spent more time in Bath. The museum was nothing all that special but the town looked gorgeous. Did my usual warp tour of the Roman exhibit, drank the legendary water, and then scoured the quaint, picturesque town for good coffee and blog-able pics.
The bus dropped me back near the Marriott later that evening. I retrieved my bags and waited for my delightful new friend Annie, whom I had met on the very first day of my trip in Rome, to pick me up. We went to a really fun little bar called Cafe Cairo and then for dinner she took me to a Pakistani place....after having spent a month in India, haha.
My first time through London this summer I viewed many of the classic outdoor attractions. For the winter visit, I planned on ducking into some world class museums. Took the tube to the Natural History Museum and then to the British Museum. Was pretty cool to start my trip with Ben at the Met and finish at the British Museum. I then walked around a bit, just soaking in London. I really, really like it there. So fulfilling to be in a place where you can walk down a random alley and come across a sign like the one below. Also rad seeing Keira Knightley. I think she winked at me!
 |
| Rosetta Stone |
Annie picked me back up in South London and after a few attempts, we found a good fish and chips pub. They really hit the spot for the last meal of the trip. Sadly, we did not top it off with her friend Tony's randomly hilarious vision of ice cream sandwiches (scoop of ice cream on normal bread, wtf?). As with so many people, I profusely thank Annie for her hospitality. Folks like her, Dennis and Karen, Lauren and Brea, Vicki and Justine, Kat, and various Toms made this trip extra special.
Sadly all good things must come to an end. I promised Linda D. I'd be home for Christmas and since I approach the threshold of cracking into my "do not touch" bank account, it seemed time to make good on that. I type this from the states and have already expertly assimilated back into American life. I've devoured a true burger (with peanut butter and bacon) and a beer with actual hops while doing the Three Men and a Baby routine at a bar with Sully, Shane, and little Levi. I rode the L successfully without having a sock full of poop flung at me. I witnessed for the first time the majesty of Ben McLemore in action. Saw a bald eagle soar while traversing icy back roads Iowa in the Wener mobile. And now sit by the tree, strange family cat stalking me, tin full of Topsy's beckoning, a world away from where I've been. Good to be back, yet I already miss it. Will wrap up the blog at the end of the week. Until then, happy holidays to you and yours!
A statue of Reagan would excite you.
ReplyDeleteGood to have you back.
McLemore is amazing.
I'm so glad you are home safe and sound, but mostly that you got to see KU beat Ohio State on Saturday. Let's go stand in a long line for some bbq sometime very soon! Welcome home! Love you! Rock Chalk.
ReplyDelete