The day I left was relatively uneventful. Except that I was watching the BBC that morning and heard that the Piccadilly line was not running because a signal was out. They were telling commuters to take the tube to Acton Town, then board a bus to Heathrow. That didn't sound like a plan to me. And I had run out of cash - I had planned to use my remaining change on buying a salad at the airport, and some last-minute souvenir presents for my work and extended family. When I finally set out and checked out of my hotel, the Piccadilly line appeared to be running smoothly, except that I did have get off at some platform near Acton Town because they were emptying the carriages and I had to wait for the next one. It wasn't fun carrying my two bags *and* that behemoth of a bin bag carrying my two Morrissey posters! At least I had taped up the sides of the bag because it was drizzling.

At the airport, I found a pretty quiet lounge to wait for the time to board the plane. I put on my headphones and sang quietly to some of ROTT with my eyes closed, oblivious to anyone around me. Funnily, as several people left the lounge, some clapped their hands at me, and one man (bless him) said I had a lovely voice. (Oops :) At Heathrow, you're not allowed anywhere near the boarding gate until about 40 minutes before your plane is about to leave. Note, once you've checked in with the man at the door of the waiting room, you can't leave, and there is no bathroom.

The flight back was decent - "Last Holiday" was one of the films so I got a comedy to laugh at while I was eating dinner. When we landed, I got mad when I practically got run over by several people legging it down the aisle when we were about to disembark at Dulles. Patience, people! And thanks to those idiots, I got a couple more bruises on my legs to add to the ones I sustained after getting mauled by the security guards at Bridgewater (thanks ever so much). Otherwise, both of my posters made it back in one piece as did a London print Kim gave me.

So what can I say about London?

Forget about seeing it all in one trip. I was there for 6 days and felt like I saw a thimbleful of the city. Don't try to set an unrealistic goal for yourself, relax and soak it all in. You'll be back if you like your first visit.

Get off the beaten path. Don't be afraid to talk to locals - most of them are friendly. Go where the locals are and you'll more than likely have a better experience than you would staying with other tourists. This should be obvious, but may not be if you're not a devotee of Rick Steves.

Try to use British-icms when possible. I got used to saying, "cheers mate, thank you!" when I wanted to thank someone for doing something for me. It makes you sound less like a tourist. Also, be quiet and prudent. The only noisy Londoners I encountered were the Chelsea fans dressed in their blue kits heading to the victory parade.

I had planned another 10-day trip to Londinium for my birthday but I ended up having to cancel it in light of a hospitalization and medical problem that cropped up in late October, so I'm trying to plan a trip in 2007 for the week after Easter. I hope that works out, because I want to get back to the city that was and alive of so many great musical and literary luminaries of the 19th and 20th centuries and beyond. Keep your fingers crossed :)

posted 12/07/06
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