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Tuesday, September 21, 2004
3:10 PM

London Calling

Cheerio! Hope all is well back in the States (and in Spain if Laura or Struby is reading!). Yes, we are in London. In fact, we just got back from seeing Les Miserables and are taking advantage of the lounge in our hotel which has internet access among other things.

London has been fabulous, though exhausting. We have done many of the usual touristy things - the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Tower of London, St. Paul's, Harrod's, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, Sloane Street, Kings Road, the Cabinet War Rooms, etc. Saw the outside of Buckingham Palace, Parliament, Big Ben. In short, we have been all over town. I'll be sure to post pics when we get back (I've taken nearly 150 already . . . thank god for digital cameras).

So far I think the British Museum was my favorite. Such an amazing collection. St. Paul's was impressive but is undergoing major rennovation so there was more scaffolding to see than anything else. Instead we decided to climb up the 300 and some steps to the viewing platform (yes you read that right - over 300 steps - what were we thinking?). Perhaps not the best decision, especially given that by the time we got up there we found that it had started to rain, so no viewing for us! Let that be a lesson to all of you - if you really have no good reason to climb hundreds of steps, don't do it. In fact, even if you have a reason, try to avoid it.

I must admit that we have been pleasantly surprised by the food. We had the best fish & chips ever on our first night here (at just some random place across the street from our hotel). We also had amazing sandwiches at the deli in Harrod's yesterday. Great pastrami (and roast beef). Can you believe that we didn't buy anything but lunch at Harrod's?

Even though they speak English here, the language and customs are a bit hard to get used to. Why does everyone insist on driving/walking on the wrong side? Why the uniform dislike for ice (I know dad is with me on this one)? Why "Give Way" instead of "Yield" (using fewer words is always preferable). "Take Away" vs. "To Go"? Perhaps the biggest shock is the price of everything. When you buy something (like a meal), you get the bill and it looks about right - if it was in dollars. Then you run the conversion in your head and, after you revive from the fainting spell, you just hand over the credit card with a resigned sigh. The repeating message should be "Mind the Wallet" instead of "Mind the Gap".

Notwithstanding my pre-departure clothing agonizations, I must admit that we packed all wrong for London (or at least mostly wrong). It has been pretty chilly here and we didn't bring enough warm things. We've managed, but thicker sweaters would have been good. (You will, no doubt, be relieved to know that I have used several pairs of shoes thus far.)

Tomorrow it's off to Spain. We are looking forward to warmer weather and slightly less walking (we are both a bit sore). I'll try to post from there, but have no idea if the hotel will provide access.

Blimey it's getting late. Must head off to bed. I'm right tired. All that eating, shopping and walking have worn us out. . .

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