Lost in Switzerland ~ A Foreign Adventure: Week 10 Day 1 of 6: London, England

March 6, 2010

My flight left yesterday to fly over the great blue Atlantic into Heathrow - London's airport. I tried to sleep, but had little luck. I stopped trying to sleep near day break and enjoyed the beautiful sky at sunrise. My first glimpse of land was Ireland. But I saw just a little of the coast, for the rest was clouded over. A glimpse of my week to come? I hope not too much rain. I arrived in London a bit late as the tail winds were not very stronge on the trip. Passing through customs in London was a breeze! Much easier than my last trip to Canada. I was quite surprised. My luggage arrived quickly and I found the train and hopped on. So far so good. Although I was disappointed that I didn’t see Platform 9 ¾.

Then things got a bit more confusing. The tube was closed to various routes and stations, including the station I needed to get to. From the airport the only place I could go was to Paddington Station - no where near where I wanted to go. It took me 45 minutes to figure what I needed to do and where I need to go. I listened for someone with a British accent and ask what train to take. I changed trains once and learned that the station I need was closed. I rode to the next one and then took 20 minutes to figure out the bus schedule.

Once at the right bus station, I saw my first Crazy British Bum. He randomly starts yelling at these people getting bus tickets. They ignored him, he walked around them, and yelled a bit more. When the bus arrived, the CBB jumps in front of me and argued with the bus driver about where the bus was going. I got on the bus thankful to get away from the CBB. After 2 hours, I finally made it to my hotel. Keep in mind that I had a full hiker’s pack, my laptop bag, and a roller-suitcase. I got my exercise for the day.

Once checking into my room, I dropped my bags, laid down for 5 minutes, and then off I went to explore London. Of note is that my hotel bathroom had one of those neat ½-flush or full-flush toilets. I ate at nasty McDonald’s because I was starving. Hamburgers don’t taste like they do in the US. I wouldn’t recommend them.

Back to figuring out the bus schedule. I caught the bus that went to Westminster. I walked past Big Ben as it chimed 2 PM, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and the Horse Guard House. I road at the top of the double-decker bus to see Picadilly Circus - like Broadway in the US. Until this point, I had no idea what Picadilly Circus was. In Picadilly Circus, I may have seen the World’s Largest High Heel. I also road through Oxford and Regents Streets - super busy shopping areas with loads of people! And finally to Buckingham Palace. By this time I was wiped out. I caught the bus and headed for dinner. I stopped at Pizza Express and got a pie. They didn't cut it - weird.