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JULY 20, 2003
We arrived in London about 7:30. Our baggage was extensive. Our backpacks weighed about 50 pounds and we had a daypack, a fanny pack, and a tote bag that we were carrying. We got a few looks as we were walking around the airport. We had to get English money called pounds, so we got it at the ATM. I later found out that the exchange rate is pretty bad. For one US dollar I get 60 pence, which is not very good.
We had to find our way out of the airport to the city. Laurie had directions to Kevin's house where we were staying. We took the Tube, which is what they call their subway system. It was quite nice. I noticed that the people seemed respectful of the older people. When an older person got on and there wasn't a seat people would offer theirs. It was very nice and I was thinking that I wouldn't see that in the US of the young people.
With a few changes on the Tube we got off at the right stop. We were trying to find Kevin's place and luckily a woman came by that was going to the same apartments. Laurie got the key from the manager and we were able to get in. The apartment is very nice. We are on the eighth floor looking out to the city. There is a deck that looks out to a marina that goes out to the Thames River.
Kevin was in Germany for work for the day and was coming home late. Laurie and I just rested, used the internet, and watched TV. We did venture outside to look for a grocery store and a place to eat.
We stayed up until Kevin came home, which was about 11:45. Kevin is someone who use to work for Laurie. He got transferred to London about 5 years ago. He seems very nice and made me feel welcome and comfortable.
I slept out on the deck. It was very nice. I could see the city lights. It was pretty considering that it was the city.
June 6, 2003
Today there is not much to write about. It was basically a day for reorganization and relaxation.
June 7, 2003
Laurie and I took the Tube all around today. We wanted to shop for miscellaneous items. The first place we went to was a place called ASDA, which is actually a Wal-Mart, but doesn't have as much as our Wal-Marts back home. But we did get our first taste of England's fish and chips there. They were quite good.
I told Laurie that I wasn't hungry, but I feel like eating all the time. I just think it is because we have the access of it and it is food we like. I was so happy today just to have normal cornflakes, real milk, and bananas for breakfast.
From there we took the Tube to a different part of London. It was Oxford Street and I think it is the shopping area of London. There were so many people. If I stopped in mid-stream I would have been run over. I think there were more people here in London on the streets than New York City.
I enjoyed just looking at the buildings and the people. We walked around and shopped.
There was one place that was open with people entertaining. There were jugglers, mime, and musicians. It was fun to watch. It was in the Convent Gardens area. We then bought some goceries for dinner and got back on theTube to head home for the night.
June 8, 2003
Laurie and I walked along the Thames Path. It is basically a road, at least what I was on, but it goes for about 90 miles. It was a beautiful day. The path took us to Tower Bridge which is an old beautiful bridge that was built in 1894. It has two towers and it is linked by two high level walkways.
We walked over the bridge which crosses the Thames River. We checked out the Shakespeare Globe Theatre. They have tours, but only in the morning. We will go there another day. We walked by the London Bridge which really isn't anything. To get back over the Thames we walked across the Millineum Bridge. It was built for the year 2000 and it is only a pedestrian walkway. This brought us to St. Paul's Church. This is a massive old church that was built between 1675 and 1710. There is a lantern on top which is 850 tons. I really can't imagine people building this way back then. We didn't go in but will head back at another time.
We headed back home and relaxed. We were waiting for Big Dig, Richard is his real name. He was on standby and was suppose to come in about 8:20 to Heathrow. We weren't sure if he would find the place
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