If I were to describe my trip to London England, I would have to say that I have had the time of my life. This has been my first time in London and my mind has been opened to many new experiences. I have learned culturally and socially about a different culture in a large society.
Friday, 2-21-97
Our journey began by departing from Champlain College in Burlington Vermont. We rode by bus to the Logan International Airport. We then boarded British Airways to the city of London. The plane ride was enjoyable except for 10 minutes of turbulence after dinner. That part was not so much fun.
We arrived at Heathrow and departed by subway (referred to as the underground) to the Royal National Hotel. This would be the first time that I have ever been on a subway. It was quite an experience being fun and challenging at the same time. Having a balance problem and moving with the starts and stops was no easy task. I finally decided after a short period of time to sit down and remain stationary until we arrived at our destination. Sitting was far more easier then standing.
As we were traveling through the long dark tube we occasionally came above ground where I had the opportunity to see houses that have been around for a very long time. I was very impressed with the historical influence but realized the architecture was not all that unique. Houses and apartments made of stone and brick were lined up one after another having the same height. The placement of doors and windows was unique in some cases. I just thought it was interesting how England accepted a standard form of architecture which at the time, worked well. It is also important to realize that at the time machinery and large tools did not exist.
Seeing that I did not sleep on the plane I took a few hours of rest time at the Hotel. After the rest period we went on a tour of the city via bus. The tour was a great opportunity to see various sections of the city. Because all of us were so tired it was difficult staying awake for the entire tour. When we were finished and arrived back at the Hotel we all slept.
Saturday, 2-22-97
Before I departed from the hotel I left a tip for the house keeper. (Leaving a 1 pound tip is considered appropriate.) I dug into my pocket and pulled out some loose change. I was not all that familiar with English Currency so I dropped the change I had on the table beside my bed. I did not know that I was going to give the house keeper over 7 pounds. Thank God my roommate caught me and told me the amount that I was going to unknowingly give.
As I left my room I felt so much like a stereotypical tourist. I had my camera, travel wallet and backpack. I was ready to explore this great new city.
We started our trek by going to the Rock Circus. I honestly did not know what to expect. After going up a few escalators (which is a lot easier then stairs) we were given a set of head phones and escorted down a hallway. I first assumed the headphones were a method of protection from loud noise. I then realized the headphones emulated music in different areas of the hall. There were many manikin figures of rock and pop stars. It was pretty cool because if you liked a particular recording artist. You could listen to there music by walking towards the manikin of the artist you liked.
At the end of the hall region we went into a cylindrical area where we saw an audio and video extravaganza. The history of music from the 60's to the 80's was put on display. We left the Rock Circus and continued on our first trek downtown.
Our group went to the cost effective rout for lunch and ate at McDonalds. We then went to Tower Records which is a very popular music store. It was challenging because it was packed with people. Living in such a small city is no comparison to the big city of London. I was lucky to find Roxette, Crash!Boom!Bang! which is not available in the US.
We then explored more of London. By days end we planed to go to Planet Hollywood for dinner. Unfortunately we would have had to wait 2 hours for a table. We were very hungry and went to TGI Fridays and only waited 30 minutes. Considering that England (at the time) has the mad cow disease, poultry was the meat of choice. After dinner we went back to the hotel.
Sunday, 2-23-97
On Sunday we started the day by going to a small cafe for breakfast and then going to church as I normally would on Sunday mornings. Following our church secession we went down Oxford Street where we enjoyed a walk through an open area where shops and restaurants stood. We did some general shopping, stopped for lunch at Maxwell's Restaurant and continued on our journey.
Towards the end of the afternoon we purchased some souvenirs at the Transport Museum gift shop. By early evening I went with another group of friends to Adam's Rib. Here again, chicken was the food of choice. Dividing up the tab was easy seeing we all ordered the same thing.
Monday, 2-24-97
Monday was a big day. We left fairly late in the morning to the changing of the guard. On our way we stopped at a complex which had everything from shopping and food to transportation access. After lunch we trekked through town to Buckingham Palace. We were lucky enough to make it through before the crowd of tourists came swarming in. A friend and I were standing at the outer edge of the gate. To get a better view I climbed the part of the gate.
The actual ceremony was incredible. At this time people were everywhere along the palace gate and courtyard. Traffic was soon stopped to let the parade of guard staff inside. Guards were marching to and throw in elaborate lines. Towards the end of the ceremony the guards changed and we continued with our day. As we were leaving we saw a Buckingham Palace gift shop where I found some ideal souvenirs for Mom and Dad.
Our next stop was the London Zoo. Unfortunately we spent most of the afternoon trying ever so desperately to find it. After doing a lot of walking, we finally found it. The London Zoo was very impressive but because it took us so long to find it we only had an hour to spend looking at all of the animals. The best part would be seeing the giraffe named Crackers. As soon as he saw me he kept staring at me. I was so honored to have a tall four legged friend.
We also saw animals ranging from the common Jungle animals like the elephant and rhino to some very uncommon animals. After we could see all that we could given the time that we had we went back to the hotel via taxi. Going by taxi was so much easier then walking, seeing we were so tired and sore after spending the afternoon figuring out where we were.
At this point, I was very tired if not exhausted. I wanted to get some sleep before our dinner at the Beefeater Restaurant. Unfortunately I had to wash my clothes seeing I packed rather lite. After I finished with my laundry I headed back to the hotel.
In my tired and painful state I doubtfully went to the Beefeater Restaurant with the whole gang. This was a very interesting dinner for me because when we first started to eat I realized that this would be a theatrical dinner. It was challenging because at my present state of condition I did not think I would enjoy my meal at all. The truth is, I like a quiet lite conversational dinner when I am feeling well. Seeing this dinner would be loud and spontaneous I did not know the best way to handle the situation.
I soon noticed that there was a pitcher or red wine beside me. I started with a few sips and continued with a few glasses. (Yes, a few could easily be more then two.) I was eventually to the point when I could no longer taste the alcohol that I was consuming. I honestly never intended to become inebriated. I just wanted to relax a little bit.
Towards the end of the evening I was having a great time. After dinner the main area was open for dancing. This was a night to remember. We then headed back to the hotel. Luckily my friends escorted me to my room seeing I had difficulty standing on my own two feet.
Tuesday, 2-25-97
On Tuesday during the late morning hours a group of us went to the Tower of London where we had a guided tour of a part of the castle. After the guided tour we saw the House of Jewels which was quite incredible. It is almost funny because before the actual display we watched some of the great jewels on a video clip. What we saw almost looked liked the Home Shopping Club or QVC. Each jewel was turning with a description just below. I saw great pieces of gold and jewels that took my breath away. We then saw the actual jewels within a high security vault area. I was in a state of ahhh pretty much throughout our walk in the vault.
After the House of Jewels we went to the Knights and Torture building. We did not spend a whole lot of time looking at methods of pain. After that journey I bought a guide book and we left the Tower of London to have lunch at McDonalds, the cost effective rout.
After lunch I was very tired and departed on my own from the group. I went back to the hotel to get some sleep seeing I was exhausted. After I rested I felt quite a bit better.
By early evening we went to see the play and musical Cats. This was the first time I have ever seen Cats. I was very impressed with the theme and the production. It was obvious that much time was spent practicing to make Cats a success. By evenings end we went back to the hotel.
Wednesday, 2-26-97
Wednesday started off very well. In the early morning hours I received a call from my parents which made me feel really good. I appreciated the call because for one reason it is very expensive to call oversees. The second reason would be the fact that they called at 2:00am (their time) in the morning.
Later in the morning our group went to one of England's great churches known as the Salisbury Cathedral. Walking to and from the cathedral was challenging because it was extremely windy. One of my friends even made the comment that if I was feeling like the way I did on Monday night I would have never made it. She was right.
As we walked into the cathedral I was again in a state of ahhh. (As I was in the House of Jewels.) The cathedral was huge. Not just big in width and length but also big in height. I felt bad in a way because while our tour guide was speaking I was staring up at painted ceilings, stained glass windows and the great architecture. I wanted to take pictures but I forgot my camera in the bus. Luckily enough we found a gift and souvenir shop at the end of our tour. In this shop I found postcards that had the pictures I wanted.
We then departed from the Salisbury Cathedral and went to the Grasmere House for lunch. The Grasmere House was elegant and business like. Lunch was enjoyable and relaxing.
After lunch we went to Stone Hedge. The Stone Hedge formation has probably been around since the beginning of time. We were lucky in a way to see Stone Hedge on such a bright and sunny day, but unlucky to trudge through strong winds. Here again I was almost blown over multiple times but successfully remained standing.
Time was running out so we sought refuge in the gift and souvenir shop where we could stand and walk at ease. I bought some postcards and a guide book (the souvenirs of choice) and headed back to the bus where I enjoyed gazing upon the large landscapes and fields on our way back to the hotel. I then had some quality rest time.
Towards the evening we went to Planet Hollywood for an expensive but entertaining dinner. I was debating with myself whether or not to buy a Planet Hollywood t-shirt. I finally gave in.
Thursday, 2-27-97
Thursday morning started off similar to Wednesday morning. We went to another great church called the Canterbury Cathedral. We were even lucky enough to find a prayer service as we were leaving the magnificent building. As far as size and overall design, there was no big difference between the Canterbury Cathedral and the Salisbury Cathedral. I have to say that after talking with my Christian friends I realized that I have seen the work of God in the creation of these great buildings.
After getting more postcards and a guidebook we went to lunch at the Argot Restaurant and Bar. Lunch was enjoyable as usual. I have been lucky avoiding beef during meals. I am not too crazy about getting the mad cow disease.
We then left and headed to the Leeds Castle. This was truly a great experience because I always wanted to walk through a castle and this was a golden opportunity. After going through Leeds Castle and the two cathedrals I felt as though I have absorbed the English historical influence. You will never guess what I had to buy before we departed to the Hotel.
In the early evening hours we went to Deep Pan Pizza for dinner. We had quite a selection to choose from. Since I have not had a full scale breakfast in a week I went with the All Day Breakfast Pizza which was very good. Seeing that all of us were tired we went back to the hotel and slept earlier then usual.
Friday, 2-28-97
Friday morning I got up later then usual and left on my own to the Piccadilly Circus. Piccadilly Circus is the center of town which is a circus to say the least. I spent most of my time window shopping and looking at items that I could not afford.
Just for the experience I went into Sega World which impressed me. I have never been in an arcade as big as Sega World. If I was younger I would have had a field day. The first of three levels consisted of fighting games which struck my fancy. The second level had racing games and the third and final level was fairly general with mostly new and popular games.
I again went the cost effective rout for lunch and ate at McDonalds. After lunch I continued window shopping. I almost bought a watch that would have costed quite a bit more in the US but the wrist strap seemed to be defective. By the end of my window shopping spree I was tired and went back to the hotel.
For dinner, myself and friends went to a quaint but very good Italian restaurant called the Trattoria Bardigiana. The food was excellent and the restaurant was located not far at all from our hotel. It felt satisfying to eat wholesome food that was filled with carbohydrates to give us energy for the journey home.
After dinner we went to Harts The Grocer across the street where I purchased some chocolate bars for my Grand Parents. We then went back to the hotel and I realized that I had to pack up all my belongings. This was quite a challenge seeing that everything was packed tightly before I left and now I have an additional bag full of souvenirs. Upon completion of packing I met with friends and watched the Wizard of Oz.
Saturday, 3-1-97
We left the hotel and headed back to Heathrow via subway. Our departure went smoothly but I still feel I could have stayed longer. One of my friends said that it is saying goodby but not forever.
I have truly had the time of my life and if I could ever do it again I would in a heartbeat. I feel I have learned a great deal being part of a large city and a slightly different culture. I was very impressed with the accessibility of the city and the respect from everyone.
To close, I would like to thank all my friends who came along on this journey for helping to make my stay exciting and enjoyable. If it wasn't for them, I would not had as much fun as I did. Goodby London, but not forever.
