Flying to London

Trip Start May 05, 2008

Trip End May 09, 2009

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Where I stayed

Easy Hotel

(Ottawa hotels)

Flag of Canada Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Monday, May 5, 2008

Hello Everyone,

So here we are after almost three hectic days in London. Of course the first order of business was doing the obligatory tourist stuff. We visited the House of Commons and the House of Lords in Westminster, strolled along the banks of the Thames next to Big Ben, visited a myraid of tombs of famous people (Newton, Shakespeare, Livingstone, Mary Queen of Scots, Churchill etc.) in Westminster Abbey, saw the changing of the guards in front of Buckingham Palace and visited both the British Museum and the National Gallery. Whoo!

The weather is amazing, thanks in no doubt to global warming. We've had 25 degrees and sunny every day so far, which is more than unusual for London at this time of the year. The city seems exciting and vibrant. It is very multicultural, even by the standards of Canadian cities. You can hear every language on Earth here, and see faces from all over the planet. There is certainly a lot to do and see here, which also accounts for hordes of tourists, trampling everyone on the way from the Tube to the museums, who dare to stand in their way... This would also explain for the prices, which for poor Canadian backpackers... well, let's just say that they don't help the jaw problems we both had before leaving. We manage to eat well though, thanks to Subways and grocery stores. Once again a giant commercial chain proves to be an unlikely life-saver.

The metro system here is fantastic and the city is very clean. We have never felt unsafe, well except maybe for that constant nagging feeling that we have to remember to look on the proper side of the road when crossing. We could say that the whole city runs like clockwork, which is not a big surprise from the capital of a nation whose national symbol is a giant clock!

We are starting to feel like tourists. The first couple of days we were still shaking off the stress that has been an integral part of our lives for a long time before leaving. Tomorrow we are planning to visit Stonehenge and Salisbury, which will enable us to visit one more country (rural England: London is another country altogether apparently!).

We will write some more soon, perhaps when the proverbial English weather finally lives up to its reputation. And Tavi will make an attempt at some witty analysis of British society and history. But that will have to wait until the next time, in a few days from now.

Our love to our family and friends. Happy Mother's Day! Bonne fete grand-maman! And cheerio! to everyone else.

Tavi and Virginia

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In front of Big Ben	Westminster from the Thames	The British Pub experience	The British Museum
One of so-many beautiful English buildings	Ginny and Westminster Abbey	Duh