Subway Sandwiches and Cyber Cafe?

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  London, United Kingdom
Monday, December 3, 2007

Hello!
Well, it has been about 12 hours since I last wrote to you all. What a day it has been.

First let me say how amazing it is to hear english. Of course it sounds so nice coming out of their mouths- but still, I don't have to say pardon or bonjour anymore, or sorry I am such an idiot and can't speak your language- feels great.

I am sitting in a giant room full of computers mounted on walls. You buy time from a machine and log in with your number. The crazy thing is that I am also enjoying dinner as I sit here- a subway sandwich. mmmm....I'm on a budget, ok? A few homeless guys are snoozing on chairs in the corners and others are using skype to talk to their friends far away

Big Ben

. Others still are using it too enjoy their middle eastern music - and singing along, so it is an interesting vibe going on.

London is a great city. I only came here to see a play, but I could absolutely spend weeks just discovering this city. The people are laid back and really friendly. I have had more laughs today with the locals than I did with the French locals all week. A major culture difference for sure. And they smile- that is a nice change. I absolutely love this place and hope I can get back one day and see more of it.

The weather promised to be rainy all day with no repreive. I didn't care since the London gloom is quite a welcome change of scenery for me. And since it is my only full day here- I wasn't about to waste it sitting in my 6ft by 10 ft room watching one of two channels.

It began dark and dreary. Actually, it began right after my last entry. I walked to Traffalgar Square again and down to the Houses of Parliament and turned the corner to see Big Ben which I don't recall seeing when I was here last in 1989. I'm sure I did, but not like this- not standing right below it and listening to it's loud and comforting chimes every 15 minutes.I am glad to report that it isn't an area for the public- so there were no stairs I felt obligated to climb

from the Eurostar

.
:)

I walked along the River Thames, past the London Eye, the MIllenium Bridge, The Tate Modern, a few old buildings I can't recall the name of right now. It was gorgeous. Got a view of London Bridge and turned inland. A fit of rain sent me into St Paul's Cathedral and I decided to stay for the mass. The choir was brilliant- well trained voices and an organ bouncing off the old stone, gold and wood was a lovely sound to my ears. It is the first day of Advent in case any of you are wondering. I have forgotten how to be a good Catholic so this had slipped my mind.

As I stepped out of the Cathedral, the sun came out of the clouds. I was ecstatic and beagn walking back toward the waterfront for some photos. I will share them with you when I am able. I proceeded back toward Big Ben and off to see Westminster Abbey, stroll the grounds of St James Park, feed the geese and squirrels, and walked by Buckingham Palace, and then up to Piccadillly. This is when it got bad.

Not the weather- that was fabulous- the temptation.... I followed the first of the Christmas shoppers down the street in and out of shops that carry all things English

London Eye

. When I saw the sign for Fortnum and Mason I actually got butterflies of excitement in my stomach. Maybe it was hunger? Anyway, I made it in the door and found it full of all kinds of tins of the most lovely fragrant teas in the world- that I know of anyway. I had to get a little earl grey for home. Oouch- the dollar sure is weak around here.

I made it into London's famous toy shop - 4 floors of kidhood bliss. I think I would have fainted if I were 7. Actually I nearly fainted as it was. It was grand and full and very  hot. I walked along Regent Street and Oxford Street, Carnaby Street. It was like shopping overkill. I was overwhelmed. (see BBC's '06 Jane Eyre for proper pronounciation of overwhelmed) I decided to duck the crowds and head home to relax my feet. I showered at the hotel and took a walk out for my delicious subway sandwich dinner. That is it. My day in London. If I wake at 6am again tomorrow, perhaps I will take another adventure before heading off to St Pancrass for the Chunnel trip to Brussels, then to Bruges. I am looking forward to  Bruges. I must find a cyber cafe there that I can upload photos to- so you can see that place. So beautiful.

My cousin Craig and his wife have made it from Paris to Chicago- they are stuck there overnight. Hopefully they will make it home soon, safely. Happy Birthday Sami!

Anyway, I really appreciate your guys comments- they make me smile. It is such a wild world that we can get on a computer and 'feel' a connection. One day that will bite our society in the proverbial butt- but until then, cyber cheers!!!

Love to you all and take care,
Kathryn

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

London hotel room	London Wildlife	More Big Ben	Regent Street shopping
Shopping on Carnaby Street	Walking away	Westminster Abbey

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