London, Mom!!! I'm really here! I know you're just as excited as I am!
The journey from San Francisco to England was a long one, but I survived. I flew SFO to Chicago to Copenhagen to Manchester. I make sacrifices to travel cheap. Melissa picked me up at the Manchester airport and I was so happy to see her beautiful, smiling face. We grabbed some dinner at the airport as we had time to kill before our train. The two of us opted for a "jacket potato" (their term for a baked potato) dinner and we caught up over our food. After an hour or so we caught the train to Sheffield (where she lives for school), which took us about an hour.
I met all three of her housemates, Amy, Clare, and Jess, and they were all extremely nice. Immediately upon setting my bags down I was offered a "cuppa" (tea), and I delightedly obliged. It isn't just a stereotype! They really do drink tea all the time! The proper British way--with milk and sugar. That's the way I like my tea as well. It must stem from Papa's Welsh influence.
Due to poor planning, bright an early the next morning I headed down to London. If I would have known at the time this was how the itinerary would have played out I would have flown into London instead of Manchester, but I don't mind. Gotta go with the flow when traveling. Melissa was unable to join me as she had exams to study for, so I ventured off on my own.The train pulled into King's Cross Station in London...you know, the one from Harry Potter! I debated trying to enter Platform 9 3/4, but I figured I'd spare myself the concussion.
I purchased a "tube" (another time for the London Underground) ticket and found my way to my hostel. Ironically, my hostel was just off of the Paddington station. I saw this as a little sign from you, as dad always called you Paddington bear. The bear was named Paddington because in the story he was found sitting at that exact Underground station.
My hostel was called the "Dolphin Inn," which I found to be hilarious, but the amenities were decent and it was cheap by London standards. Everything in London is ridiculously expensive. Fortunately, the exchange rate between the US Dollar and the British Pound has decreased in the past week, so it's not as bad as it could have been.
I set out for my day of sightseeing and the first place I went was Westminster Abbey! Oh my gosh, Mom, it was incredible! I had no idea how enormous it was! So many important British individuals are buried inside, including members of the royal family, scientists, musicians, poets, artists, etc. Absolutely incredible and so ornate. I spent a good hour just wandering around the inside.
The journey from San Francisco to England was a long one, but I survived. I flew SFO to Chicago to Copenhagen to Manchester. I make sacrifices to travel cheap. Melissa picked me up at the Manchester airport and I was so happy to see her beautiful, smiling face. We grabbed some dinner at the airport as we had time to kill before our train. The two of us opted for a "jacket potato" (their term for a baked potato) dinner and we caught up over our food. After an hour or so we caught the train to Sheffield (where she lives for school), which took us about an hour.
I met all three of her housemates, Amy, Clare, and Jess, and they were all extremely nice. Immediately upon setting my bags down I was offered a "cuppa" (tea), and I delightedly obliged. It isn't just a stereotype! They really do drink tea all the time! The proper British way--with milk and sugar. That's the way I like my tea as well. It must stem from Papa's Welsh influence.
Due to poor planning, bright an early the next morning I headed down to London. If I would have known at the time this was how the itinerary would have played out I would have flown into London instead of Manchester, but I don't mind. Gotta go with the flow when traveling. Melissa was unable to join me as she had exams to study for, so I ventured off on my own.The train pulled into King's Cross Station in London...you know, the one from Harry Potter! I debated trying to enter Platform 9 3/4, but I figured I'd spare myself the concussion.
I purchased a "tube" (another time for the London Underground) ticket and found my way to my hostel. Ironically, my hostel was just off of the Paddington station. I saw this as a little sign from you, as dad always called you Paddington bear. The bear was named Paddington because in the story he was found sitting at that exact Underground station.
My hostel was called the "Dolphin Inn," which I found to be hilarious, but the amenities were decent and it was cheap by London standards. Everything in London is ridiculously expensive. Fortunately, the exchange rate between the US Dollar and the British Pound has decreased in the past week, so it's not as bad as it could have been.
I set out for my day of sightseeing and the first place I went was Westminster Abbey! Oh my gosh, Mom, it was incredible! I had no idea how enormous it was! So many important British individuals are buried inside, including members of the royal family, scientists, musicians, poets, artists, etc. Absolutely incredible and so ornate. I spent a good hour just wandering around the inside.
Inside the Abbey I stopped at the cafe afterward and enjoyed myself a nice cuppa. I've really taken to enjoying tea since I've been here. Never realized before how much I liked it. I will definitely have to start drinking it back at home.
Next, I wandered around the Parliament buildings (all very impressive), and finally I made my way to Big Ben, the famous clock tower, and although I didn't go inside (in fact, I don't even know if you're allowed inside) it was really cool. Big Ben is so iconic, and I always love getting to see such important things live in person.
I hopped back on the tube with the intention of going to Baker Street to see 221 B. Baker Street (Sherlock Holmes' house) because I knew Dad would love that, but I didn't quite make it there. I did make it to Baker Street, but not to 221 B. I found myself at a ticket broker for the West End shows. The West End is London's equivalent of Broadway, and it is probably the most prestigious theatre district outside of Broadway as well. I figured I would see what shows were playing as it had been far too long since I'd seen a show. I miss my days of ushering at the Aronoff and getting to see all of the musicals for free. Upon learning what was currently running, there was no doubt it my mind as to what I had to see--"Viva Forever!", the Spice Girls musical! Remember when Dad got me tickets to the Spice Girls reunion tour back in high school? That was such a fun trip, and I knew I had to go see the musical. Regardless of the quality of the content of the show, I knew it would be a ton of fun. Instead of going to find Sherlock, I bought my ticket and headed straight back to Paddington station to get changed and head out for the show! I will note, however, that the Baker Street station was covered in tiles with Sherlock's profile in silhouette. Pretty neat.
Viva Forever! was playing at the Picadilly Theatre in the Picadilly Circus area. I wish I would have gotten to explore Picadilly Circus some more as it seemed like a really buzzing area, but I only managed to pass through for the show. The outside of the theatre had Viva Forever! projected onto the front with a Union Jack logo behind it. I was excited before I even set foot inside.
The musical itself was a blast. I found it to be hilariously entertaining the whole way though, not to mention that I already knew all of the songs in the show (obviously, as they were all Spice Girls songs). The storyline was goofy and I don't see it winning any Tony's anytime soon, but I had a blast.
I am back at my hostel and about to pass out. It's been an amazing, amazing day, Mom. London's been a dream of mine forever, and it has finally come true. I'm floating on cloud nine. Goodnight, Sweet Mama.
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