London calling
Trip Start
Sep 11, 2008
1
3
38
Trip End
Dec 12, 2008
London,
England,
United Kingdom
Friday, September 12, 2008
Thoughts from the airport
As I sat at the airport gate and waited for my flight, it dawned on me: I'm on my own. I've just said goodbye to my friends and family, and am heading off on this journey alone. The thought thrills me and terrifies me at the same time, but mostly, I think I feel up to the challenge. A million thoughts crossed my mind as I wondered what lies ahead. Only time will tell...
In London
I am exhausted! And this backpacking lifestyle is coming back to me rather quickly - the pains of it all are what I'm feeling most at this very moment: the pain of getting oriented in a new city, the physical pain of carrying a 3-month load on your shoulders, and the emotional pain that comes from spending your hard-saved money...especially when it's converted into pounds! (Pains, I have no doubt, that will somewhat dissipate after a few hours' shut-eye)
My flight went pretty well. Despite the fact that I had to give up my perfect and rightfully-reserved seat to a couple with babies who hadn't thought of reserving 4 seats together (no bitterness intended...well, maybe a little!), I managed to get a few hours of sleep during my 5,200 km journey from Montreal to London. British Airways gets a thumbs up from me for including a meal on the flight, having personal tvs and a cheerful crew. I'm sure they're worth the $300 more than my Zoom flight would've cost.
So far, and the jet-lag is surely a factor, London is pretty confusing. Mostly because everything is backwards...cars are coming from everywhere so I never know when to cross the street! But, I love it...it's so very British (whatever that means). After an hour-long tube ride from Heathrow airport, and a 10-minute walk in the wrong direction, I managed to find my hostel. I can only check-in at 2 pm, so I left my backpack in a locker and am now wandering London until I can go back and nap for a little while. First, a tall latte at Starbucks so that I could stay awake until 2pm, and then a stop at a nearby Internet cafe to assure you all that I've safely arrived.
So I'm here, I'm safe, and I'm so very tired. More stories to come from London once I'm rested! :)
Comments
FIRST!
Hi Julie! I wish i had this travel blog thing when i was gallavanting around the world! I look forward to reading about you travels, keep up the good work. Oh.....and FIRST!
Cheers Mate
Hey Julie it's Jean!
Hope everything is going well. Enjoy London! I was there on Canada day this year and there were a lot of Canadians walking around waving the flag :-).
I know what you mean when you say being on your own is both terrifying and exciting, when I moved to Amsterdam I had no idea what would happen to me over the next year.
Have a great trip!! I look forward to reading the rest of your comments!