An American In London
After leaving Passport and Customs, I needed to get into the city. From Heathrow, the easiest and cheapest way is to take the Heathrow Express to Paddington station. From Paddington it is easy to change trains to the Underground, or Tube as they call it, catch a bus or a taxi.
My husband, who had arrived several days earlier for business had purchased an “Oyster card” for me. No, I don’t know why they call it an oyster card, they just do. He had sought advice from his local co-workers and bought me a week pass for zones 1 and 2. This allowed me to take a Tube or bus anywhere in those zones. It was 28 pounds for the week, which at the time translated into about $42 U.S.
We took the bus from Paddington to our hotel. Which, and I was warned, was small. There was a double bed pushed up to the wall and two small nightstands next to it. There was not enough room between the bed and the wall for even a twin sized mattress. My husbands big suitcase stood upright at the end of the bed, it touched the wall and the bed. Behind that wall was a bathroom where I could touch all walls by standing in the middle.
I say those things only for information. It was a lovely room. It didn’t need to be any more than it was.
After we got me settled, we took the Tube into the city where my husband was working. My first “dumb American” eye roll came from security at the office. He asked for my “surname” and both my husband and I thought he’d said “sign in” – we didn’t know where.
Upstairs, introductions were made.
“Hi, hello, no not very tired. Oh the flight was good.”
my husband’s office mate caught me off guard.
“We’re going out tomorrow night, right?”
Well, that’s very kind of you, but I’m married and my husband is right there.
“of course.”
That wasn’t as awkward as when after said night out, he kissed me. It was all very European. Apparently they do that there.
Anyway,
After that I wandered around (got lost) London for a bit. Scoped out a place for lunch and had a Coke in the park.
May 9th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
I couldn’t leave home without it! When I went on a missions trip to Haiti last Halloween, I was REALLY worried about not having any Coke while we were going to be there. I ALMOST packed some, but was afraid it wouldn’t make it in the luggage compartment on the plane. Much to my relief, Haitian REALLY enjoy Coke!
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