i see london (i see france)

friday: 27th june, 2008
on the plane...British Airways to london...

francis is happily watching a movie. he was happy with our seat; he said: "look at all this stuff you get for only 2nd class! i wonder what 1rst class gets!" he's loving how fancy this is: luxuries you don't see in the US anymore. each seat has its own pillow, blanket, headsets, and comfort kit: eye-mask, socks, and travel toothbrush with mini-paste. he was in awe and very excited. "would you like a full british breakfast, luv?" said the steward. you get the accent already, and you're not even there yet. i said yes, even tho i didn't know what it was. we were then served a tray each, consisting of: scrambled eggs, potatoes, ham, sausage and mushrooms, OJ, yogurt, coffee, blueberry muffin, roll and butter, and fruit. it was too much to eat! and better yet, complimentary!



i am having trouble feeling excited. i'm on a plane to london, but my stomach isn't in turmoil. i mean, i am excited, i am looking forward to it, but i don't have the physical feeling of excitement. maybe it hasn't hit me yet? i am kind of in a daze. i am not nervous, i am not giddy. i am very tired. it's hard to explain. i have not planned what to do in london for 5 days (i've been so focused on france and italy) but that doesn't bother me. we will see what we can; i am just happy to be there, staying with our friend ruth. we will be meeting up with greg on wednesday. i am content to see familiar sights, eat british food, drink tea, hang out, and show francis 'round the town. but i consult my lonely planet london guide anyways, for some ideas...



we land and go thru customs: always a hassle. but we get thru ok, and follow signs to the underground. it's about 9pm british time, but francis can't keep his eyes open. we catch the picadilly line, and he promptly falls asleep on the tube, for our hour ride. i have trouble waking him up; he's delirious. we follow ruth's directions to her flat: "when you get out of the station cross the road and walk straight ....... you pass sainsburys supermarket on your left. turn left down the side of sainsburys till you get to a zebra crossing. cross the crossing and walk straight til you hit another zebra crossing, cross it and turn left. my building is at the end of that street on the corner. my door is red and on copenhagan st. buzz the 'flat' bell. it's about a 5-7 min walk". how do you like them directions! ruth wanted me to call her when we arrived, so she could run out and meet us, but i liked the challenge of navigating the city with just those directions. i wanted to see if i could find it, and find it i did!

francis' first sight out of the tube station was a double-decker bus and he got so excited! i'm happy watching him, all these sights, for the first time. i'm enjoying stepping back into a place that's familiar, a place with memories...





we buzz the buzzer to the flat, and ruth's calls out "hello" from the third floor. she says: "that's it?" to our luggage, a carry-on size wheely bag for each of us. we wanted to travel light, but it still feels like too much.

ruth shows us to our "quarters"; the nook she's made up for us. it's so homey and like camping out. it's late, but francis wants to read before bed; he is thoroughly engrossed in the lord of the rings. we say good-night to ruth, with plans to sleep in, have breakfast, and hang out with her tomorrow.



i think i'm starting to feel excited. i'm happy to wander and be, to hear the accents, and drink tea...