I've got to help Greg with dinner now, but I wanted to post my pictures from London (at least the first batch - the second album is just going to be inspiration from the Victoria and Albert Museum)
Showing posts with label London. Show all posts
Showing posts with label London. Show all posts
October 27, 2010
October 22, 2010
Back from London
The blog has been silent for the last few days because I was in London and Greg was hanging out here with my cousin, Dana, and her new husband, Roe'e, who were visiting from Israel (and other various activities he had planned in my absence).
I guess I wasn't expecting London to be so absolutely charming ~ the streets and architecture; the people with their (mostly) lovely accents; the food (the choices were overwhelming); the fabulous museums of every type, make and model; the edgy, alternative fashion scene; and for me, the fantastic weather (I only got drenched once!).
Of course, there were parts that weren't nice, but generally I could ignore them like the weird subway delays and closures; the way I couldn't figure out which way to look when I wanted to jaywalk; and how it seemed like everyone lived with to-go cups permanently stuck to their hands. And I didn't have to convert from pounds to the dollars, which made everything seem so much cheaper than it would have if I came from the US. In any case, it's good that I'm a pretty frugal traveler although during this trip I definitely did my part to help the fabric industry. ;-)
I saw so much of the city and met with some great (new and old) friends while I was there - I'm still in shock at how much I did! The highlights for me include afternoon tea with friends at the Wolseley, the Victoria and Albert museum (third favorite museum after the Prado in Madrid and the Metropolitan in NYC) and a cute little trimmings shop in Soho.
For now, I'll leave you all with a shot of Kate, her (and now my) friend Raf who we stayed with, and myself frightened by the realistic moving dinosaur behind us. I look more like I'm ready to hop on, I guess. There were a lot of kids who were really scared by it so we shouldn't make fun, but oh well!
I guess I wasn't expecting London to be so absolutely charming ~ the streets and architecture; the people with their (mostly) lovely accents; the food (the choices were overwhelming); the fabulous museums of every type, make and model; the edgy, alternative fashion scene; and for me, the fantastic weather (I only got drenched once!).
Of course, there were parts that weren't nice, but generally I could ignore them like the weird subway delays and closures; the way I couldn't figure out which way to look when I wanted to jaywalk; and how it seemed like everyone lived with to-go cups permanently stuck to their hands. And I didn't have to convert from pounds to the dollars, which made everything seem so much cheaper than it would have if I came from the US. In any case, it's good that I'm a pretty frugal traveler although during this trip I definitely did my part to help the fabric industry. ;-)
I saw so much of the city and met with some great (new and old) friends while I was there - I'm still in shock at how much I did! The highlights for me include afternoon tea with friends at the Wolseley, the Victoria and Albert museum (third favorite museum after the Prado in Madrid and the Metropolitan in NYC) and a cute little trimmings shop in Soho.
For now, I'll leave you all with a shot of Kate, her (and now my) friend Raf who we stayed with, and myself frightened by the realistic moving dinosaur behind us. I look more like I'm ready to hop on, I guess. There were a lot of kids who were really scared by it so we shouldn't make fun, but oh well!
July 12, 2010
Return to London - Part II
London still amazes me. I was most excited about the noticeable drive the city is making to be an environmental leader of the future. It will take time for London to feel as clean and bike friendly as Munich, but people are trying. I was amazed and scared about the bikers taking on the double decker buses. I just had to ride the bus while thinking of what my big brother Matt would have wanted to do.
London has taught me a lot and really drives the person I am today. I remember 10 years ago the horrible shower in my rented apartment – today a military shower suits me just fine. Small spaces by American standards are considered enough for the normal family in London. And upon reading a biking pamphlet – “it only rains 6% of the time in London and a quick towel wipe and deo under the arms will leave you fresher than if you would have sweated to work riding the Tube.” The weather was hot all week, the Tube (subway) was muggy, yet not as pungent as the Munich public transport on a hot day.
So London, I leave you once again feeling inspired and satisfied with all that you have offered. I feel rested and fully trained for a week of exploring more of Europe with my parents and aunt Til. Next stop - back to Prague!
London has taught me a lot and really drives the person I am today. I remember 10 years ago the horrible shower in my rented apartment – today a military shower suits me just fine. Small spaces by American standards are considered enough for the normal family in London. And upon reading a biking pamphlet – “it only rains 6% of the time in London and a quick towel wipe and deo under the arms will leave you fresher than if you would have sweated to work riding the Tube.” The weather was hot all week, the Tube (subway) was muggy, yet not as pungent as the Munich public transport on a hot day.
So London, I leave you once again feeling inspired and satisfied with all that you have offered. I feel rested and fully trained for a week of exploring more of Europe with my parents and aunt Til. Next stop - back to Prague!
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