Debating...

I wasn't sure whether or not I'd bother writing a last entry about my last journey home, but since they're still de-bugging my computer (or rather, no one is around to actually give it back to me), I figure I have a little time on this borrowed laptop to wrap things up. I don't really plan to keep writing until I have to go on my next trip because...well, because my daily life isn't all that interesting, to be honest, unless you're me. I quite like my life, but I'm not going to assume that anyone who may be reading this will care to hear about it. So yeah.

London was, as I've said, fantastic. It was great to be able to stop and be with familiar people and have a nice, relaxing time, but without having to jump back into my actual life right away.

I spent last Monday, and it's strange to think it was only a week ago, walking around London on my own. I took the train in to Waterloo station and then took the tube to Tower Hill, to see the Tower of London (I had no idea that it was actually 21 separate towers - shows you what I know). I had mapped out my proposed route the night before, being my father's daughter, including which tube lines I was going to take, which streets I'd need to take to get where I was going, etc. So I walked around the Tower and Tower Bridge - both quite remarkable. When I only have a short amount of time somewhere, I tend not to want to spend it on tours or in museums. I realize that may sound terribly shallow, but I like exploring and if I only have a day to see a place, then I'm going to take in as much as possible. All that to say that I didn't go inside the Tower of London, but had a marvelous time walking around it, reading the informational signs, etc. I then walked along the Thames, and as good luck would have it, the weather that day was perfect. Sunny and mild, whereas the weekend before had been cool and rainy. I walked over to London Bridge, then up to St. Paul's Cathedral.

St. Paul's is a remarkable place, and I actually stopped to go inside and explore it. During the Blitz in World War II, Winston Churchill declared that St. Paul's Cathedral must be preserved, and it stood as a symbol of hope and endurace as the entire city was being bombed to smithereens. People worked around the clock to make sure that fires were put out and did everything possible to minimize the damage to the cathedral. It's an astoundingly beautiful place, and it's really almost overwhelming to see - I can't explain it much better than that. I was tempted to go up to the top, which is supposed to have a fantastic view of the city, but given my dislike of heights, I figured that it would be wasted on me, so I stuck to the sanctuary and crypts. There's a memorial to the US soldiers who died fighting along the British in World War II in the back of St. Paul's, placed where a bomb had torn a hole from the roof through to the crypt. I admit that I can be sappy, but reading about it, and looking at the enormous book of names of people who died definitely had me choked up.

I had originally wanted to see the 1 pm concert at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, but my late start and stop at St. Paul's made that an impossibility. I didn't mind, though, as I was feeling that my time was well spent. I stopped in a pub for lunch, and while I can't imagine that every English pub has vegetarian food, this one had a lovely spicy bean burger that I had for lunch, along with a pint of ale. I think it may have even been called something like Ye Olde London Pub, so I don't know that it's exactly a relic, but the food and beer were tasty, which was really my main concern anyway.

From there I walked back down to the Thames and along the river to the footbridges that cross right by the London Eye. I took so many pictures in London, it's just ridiculous. It was really fun, though - I love photography, and a beautiful, interesting place with a lot of empty rolls of film and a camera makes for a good afternoon for me. From there, I went up to Trafalgar Square, took some good pictures (at least, I hope they'll be good) and saw St. Martin-in-the-Fields. By this time, the concert was over, but Trafalgar Square was filled with people, probably a lot of tourists like me. It was a great place for people watching, which is a favored pasttime of mine. I made my way over to Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey.

I had started to wonder if my freak magnet status was waning, when I was reminded that it transcends the continents. I was crossing the street to get to Westminster Abbey, when I heard a voice behind me say "vous etes Francaise? (are you French?)" I replied "Non, mais je parle Francais (no, but I speak French)". The voice belonged to a fairly nondescript guy who was now walking next to me - a bit shorter than me (as many guys are), and smiling broadly. He asked where I was from, and I figured I was finally in a country where it was safe to admit to being from the US, so I said I was American. He said that he was from Algeria and then said "you know, you're very beautiful", to which I replied "oh...okay." He kept talking about something or another, and as the other side of the intersection approached, I turned to politely say goodbye and walk in whichever direction he wasn't walking in. As we parted ways, he called out "You know, you are a very sexy woman!" All in an accent reminiscent of Maurice Chevalier. It was classic.

After more pictures and contemplation, I walked over to Buckingham Palace and St. James' Park, which was truly lovely. By this time, my feet were finally starting to hurt a little, and I decided to head to the closest tube station so that I could hop over to Knightsbridge to get something I'd had altered at Harrod's, and then go meet Stephen and Annette for dinner in Twickenham (I love English names for places). The nearest tube was Victoria station, and unfortunately for my feet and the developing blister I had going on my right foot, I got a little turned around and took the long way there. So I decided to stop at the MAC counter at Harvey Nichol's before heading to Harrod's. I felt like I deserved a treat...

Upon arriving at Twickenham for dinner, I met up with Stephen who walked me to the restaurants, where I got to meet a bunch of Annette's friends - Stephen was the only man present, but we all had a fantastic time together. The only person who hadn't freely been consuming wine, Sue, drove all of us home, which necessitated sitting on laps, and ducking when passing police cars so as not to get busted for sitting on laps. A few bottles of wine made all of that much funnier - trust me.

The next day Annette and I went to The Sanctuary in Covent Garden, a very posh spa, which was fantastic and relaxing, and I definitely would love to go back. We lounged in saunas and on fluffy pillows in fluffy robes, we each had a relaxing bodycare treatment, a delicious lunch, and then we floated out the door to go find dinner somewhere. There is a lot of street theater in Covent Garden, including a tiny man in a red thong (Annette and I were sure it was stuffed) who was parading around the square. Since we chose to eat at an establishment on the square, we soon discovered that we had actually caught the end of his act, as he soon reappeared, fully clothed, for the next round. At the end of which he ended up in the red thong atop a very tall unicycle. And he had to climb up a stack of male volunteers to get to it. In the red thong. Not sure if they guys knew what they were getting into when they volunteered.

Stephen came to pick us up in his fabulous sports car, and zipped us home. Annette and I both fell into bed, remarking how a day of relaxation sure could make you tired.

The next morning, we all got up, I finalized my packing, and it was off to the airport shortly after lunch. After checking in, I was told I was on standby. I stared at the woman and said "um...excuse me? I've paid for a seat on this flight, it was paid for months ago." She explained, cringing all the while, that the flight was overbooked and that she couldn't confirm my seat until 15 minutes before they closed the boarding gate. Realizing that this was not her fault, and that there was nothing to be gained from throwing a fit, Annette and I went to a cafe to wait. When we went back up to the counter, we were told that there were major problems with space on the flight, and that they would offer me money or a travel voucher to take a later flight. After some hemming and hawing, I decided to take the later flight, since I thought that even if I did get on the original flight, it would be jammed, my seat would be awful, and it would be a generally unpleasant experience. And with 15 minutes before they closed boarding, there was no way my bags would make it onto the plane. So I took the later flight and the money (hurrah for that!). I also got bumped up to Business Class (oh-so-wonderful - BA's Business Class has those seats that recline fully) and was given a free pass to their lounge - and the free wine bar in the lounge. The free wine bar helped the time go faster.

I finally made it on the plane, with a satchel of food due to the lack of catering (they had sandwiches for international flights, but not much else), and reclined in my fabulous seat, feeling pleased with my decision, as it was only a four hour difference. I felt bad for making my parents stay up later, since they came to Dulles to pick me up, but I figured they'd understand.

When I arrived in DC, I expected to have some kind of "YOU'RE HOME!" brain flash, but I never got one, it all just kind of felt...normal. And then, as a nice finishing touch, British Airways lost the same suitcase they'd lost when I went from London to Dubai. Although, I should make the same clarification - it wasn't lost, it just wasn't with me. It was in London. It arrived this past Friday and had been pretty badly damaged, so they're getting me a new one. Hurrah for that! But as with the previous time, the contents were unmolested, so that was the important part.

So, I'm home, and I'm really glad to be back in my life! I'm off to Boston this coming weekend, but I don't expect to be writing much more until my next trip - but I'll keep you all posted on that! It's good to be home!!!