7.2.12 London

My flight over was fine, the major disappointment being the lack of TVs in the back of the seats. On the bight side, this probably helped me sleep actually, which I did more than on any other flight over to Europe I’ve ever taken. There was no one sitting next to me or behind me so I didn’t feel guilty about putting the seat back.

For dinner we had some sort of pasta. It was horrible. Just really, really bad food. The highlight was the two slices of pineapple, which the Irish are known for.

Upon landing I basically walked through customs, although I’m not sure if I got a stamp at the airport because they told me to go through the connections door, which wasn’t open, so I went back to the custom guy and he let me through. I walked over to the other terminal and got my ticket stamped by Ryanair. Since it was about 7 am at this point and my flight was at 11:30, I asked if I could do standby on an earlier flight. They said sure, but it would cost 270 Euros. So I declined.

I went upstairs to by the McDonald’s where I’ve slept on the benches a couple times but this time the big comfortable seats by the Starbucks were open, so I went over there and maybe slept for 30 minutes.

I set an alarm for 9 and walked around the airport, figuring out how to get to the bus when I come back in two weeks. I love that airport, it’s really, really nice. I went to the gate and hung out, listening to old Irish people talk.

The flight was fine, I slept most of it. I couldn’t get on the first EasyBus since my ticket was for a half hour later, but I grabbed a free Daily Mail so I was fine. I didn’t sleep on the bus but enjoyed the ride in, looking at all the awesome British suburban houses.

We got dropped off at Baker Street, across from the Sherlock Holmes Museum. As soon as I got off the bus I started remembering all sorts of things. Different places I ate, where I got my haircut, weird little things like that. There’s definitely a smell to London. Maybe it’s the leftover smoke from the Industrial Revolution, but you can definitely smell something in the air. It’s also great to see they are still holding strong with the driving on the wrong side of the road thing.

I walked down Marylebone and over to my hostel, which is probably five minutes from where I lived. It’s located above a pub on quiet street. The lady helping me wasn’t the most personable, but whatever. My room has three triple bunk beds and I got a top bunk. This is one of the first times I’m not excited about a top bunk since I feel like I’m not only going to knock me over every time I move, but the two people below me too.

I took a shower (even with warm water!) and headed down Baker Street to get pounds out of Barclays.

It’s completely bizarre being here. I feel sort of like Jason Bourne. I know the whole city and yet I’m having a hard time believing I actually lived here. I didn’t bring my London book and didn’t look at a map once. Very strange. I guess I really did live here and it hasn’t changed all that much. Really the construction of the Shard is the only major difference. And it seems like there are more Starbucks too.

I went over to Marylebone High Street and stopped in a patisserie for something called a ‘nougat stick’ which was a little drier than I expected. I took the high street down to Oxford Street and went over to Primark.

That was a mistake because I wanted everything. They had the grey trench coat I wanted for only five pounds, but there was no way I could take it back with me, I’m already nervous at the size of my bag. They had an awesome British flag print too, but way, way too big. I looked around and decided I’d come back later.

So I continued my nostalgia highlight route, turning on the Regent Street. I’ve probably said this before, but this is my favorite street in the world. As soon as I turned down the street it was one of the ‘wow’ moments. It’s even more amazing than I remembered, especially with the buildings lit up.

I made the detour down to see 3 Saville Row and then went through Piccadilly Circus, Leister Square (under construction), then stopped in St. Mary’s in the Field, which I don’t think I ever went in somehow. Then I continued down to Trafalgar Square, down Whitehall, walked around Westminster Abbey a little, and then up along the Thames, crossing over the river for the rest of the way until London Bridge, going up through the City, and then around the Tower of London, across Tower Bridge and back, finally ending at the Tower Hill Tube stop.

I took the Tube to Baker Street (such a great subway system, I still can’t get over that not only do the have padded seats, but they ALL stand on the right/walk on the left on the escalators) stopping by by dorm and looked for a place to eat. I walked all over Marylebone and ended up finding a really cool alley that led to Oxford Street, so I went and bought a t-shirt at Primark.

I ended up decided to get Indian food at a place by a put we used to go to on Marylebone High Street. I got garlic naan, and some sort of paneer thing with cheese and Indian stuff, as well as an Earl Grey. Solid, but not amazing. Tomorrow I’m going to try to find a cool old Britishy place.

I walked over to Tesco and got Munchies (chocolate, caramel, and like a Kit Kat inside) and an Aero bar, my British candy. I wandered Marylebone until I found Paul McCartney’s old place and walked back.

I couldn’t get internet so I just typed this up. Tomorrow I want to do new stuff, so I’m considering going to Notting Hill, definitely seeing a show, and I want to find a good old place to eat. So I should be able to keep busy.

It was freezing today, the wind was cold and heavy. I feel like an old English sailor. Tomorrow I’m wearing my long underwear.

London is amazing. I can’t believe I lived here. It’s so much prettier than anywhere in America, at least architecturally. I love everything about the place.

I saw myself in the mirror and I have huge dark circles around my eyes. I should probably sleep since I won’t be much tomorrow.