So here it is, finally, my update about London. What was I waiting for? Perspective? Pictures? Find out where the Royals are headed on their Honeymoon? Time. When I got back from London I had exactly one week and 18 hours to complete two essays, research and all. As my previous posts have mentioned, that is no easy feat. Not to mention no internet. As I still don't have, but at least now I have the time to go and find internet. Or the time to wait the hours it takes for our one free connection to load. Yes, and as my last post indicated, I was busy enjoying my freedom out in fresh air and beautiful sunny weather. However, this morning, as its cloudy, most likely going to rain, and I'm still waiting for the two boys to wake up, it feels like the perfect moment to get it out.
To sum up, London was amazing. As I already mentioned in my short post while waiting for Marlene at the train station, I love London. It is the perfect fusion of North American and European city and lifestyle, but with English, unlike Berlin. It is the city that made me want to come back and travel and live in Europe, and indeed still makes me want to go back and live there. As with last time I was there, I absolutely did not want to leave. And not just because of what was waiting for me in Brussels. The weather even held up and it didn't rain once the entire weekend.
As its already been a couple weeks, I'm not going to give you the blow by blow, but rather the highlights real. Marlene took about 10 000 pictures, so they can give the (excruciatingly) detailed rendition of our trip, if anyone wants it. Our first day there, Thursday, wasn't too terribly exciting. Just re-discovering the city, finding our way to Alison's place, only getting lost once or twice. Wandering the city, did a bit of shopping, got caught up as we hadn't seen each other since fall of last year, and planned out our weekend. We did run in to a very English fellow on the bus on the way to Alison's flat. He was like a character straight out of a movie. Very old timey English hat, jacket and trousers, completely toothless save for one or two scragglers, and looked to be at least 70. He was incredibly friendly and helpful, telling us where we had to get off, and pointing out landmarks along the way. However, true to character, we couldn't understand one word he said. It was all in such a strong stereotypical English jibberish, that all I caught was "babble babble babble bridge!". Lol. It was like the movie Eurotrip when they're on the double decker bus with the football team.
That evening was also very relaxing. We had quite literally, the best cappuccino and ham and cheese croissant of our lives at this café in Soho with Alison, before Marlene and I headed to the St. Martin's Theatre (that I got a backstage tour of last time I was in London) for Agatha Christie's Mousetrap. One of the historical theatres in London. We were sitting on the top balcony, which was fine, excellent view, except for the fact it was all very old, and very slanted forward. You had a constant feeling of falling forward, which was lovely because we were on the 2nd balcony. So especially for me, who is not the most comfortable with heights, it was extra lovely. The play was great though. Not quite the twist I expected, but I guess for its time it would have been mind-blowing. haha. Afterwards we had a nice supper with some drinks at a random restaurant in the area with a few friends of mine from Canada that were also visiting London. Very relaxing day. Warming up for the rest of the weekend.
The next morning, as Alison had to work (casting for a commercial) in the late morning/early afternoon, Marlene and I let her sleep, got ready, and went to have breakfast at a café in the main district near her place. It really suited us just fine being left to wander alone as, as much as I love Alison, she takes an absolute eternity to get ready and go anywhere. And as much as the day before was relaxing, I was a little disappointed with how little we were able to see and do, considering we only had one weekend there. So we wanted to get a ton accomplished Friday, so after breakfast, we set out to Tower Hill (total opposite side of the city) to see the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels that are guarded inside.
We arrived just in time to get a free guided tour by one of the Yeoman, who I didn't realize was not just a tour guide in a costume, but is actually still a Yeoman, one of the most prestigious guards in all of the Kingdom. It was incredible being in a castle and fortress that parts of it were close to a millenium old. Being in the epicentre of the Great British Empire. Did you know, that up until the late 19th century, all the coins for the ENTIRE British Empire were made within those walls? That's including Canada! After the tour we wandered through a few of the buildings and towers, and went to see the Crown Jewels, that as I learned, do not belong the the Queen, but rather to the people, and are the symbol of the Royalty and Prestige of the Empire. I have to say, as a French Canadian that typically hates the Queen, I felt proud to be a member of the Commonwealth. That's right, I said it. In those moments, and for the rest of the day, as it was the day of the Royal Wedding, I understood why Canada is still part of the Commonwealth, why we still have the Queen as a symbol, and why our official head of state is still the Governor General rather than updating it to be the Prime Minister. It all came together.. Oh, and plus, regarding the Crown Jewels, I got to see the biggest diamond in the world which is on the top of the Royal Scepter, the size of my fist.
After the Tower, we wandered along the bank for a while along the historic roads, crossed one of the bridges, and wandered along the South Bank all the way to Embankment and the London Eye. We came across so many wonderful things. Notably, this market that is half hidden within old buildings and areas, and winds for a few blocks out of sight. AMAZING. I actually think that at one point while we were wandering through there, a Sangria in one hand and the best chocolate cinnamon covered almonds of my life in the other, having just seen all the prestige and history that is the Tower earlier, but now faced with the modern, vibrant, cultural parts of London, it was one of the happiest moments of my life. Not even joking. It was at that moment I vowed to one day live in London.
So we kept wandering through the market along the bank, wandered through some wonderfully weird booths, boutiques and stores that we came across, sat and rested for a moment under a tree in front of the Tate modern (which I very sadly did not have time to visit), before continuing to wander the pier of embankment. At this point we really got in to the crowd that was there and obviously all over London, celebrating the Royal Wedding. There were mimes, amazing African dancers, comedians, BMX and skateboarders off in the corner under the structures, television and newscasters, and hundreds of thousands of people decked out in the Union Jack. Here we met up with Alison and crossed the bridge to show Marlene Parliament, Big Ben, and the Westminster Abbey. As I had not planned to be in London the day of the Wedding, we tried our best to avoid everything wedding related and the crowds that went with it. So we figured that at this late in the day, we should be able to make it to the Abbey without getting trampled in the crowds. From here we continued walking up to Trafalgar square, in the middle of the road laced with Union Jacks, as it was still closed from the celebrations and Royal Route earlier in the day.
From here we continued walking (yes, more walking. I think we figured out that we literally had walked for over 8 hours straight), to the famous parks to show them to Marlene, and grab a hot dog from a stand. We figured that since we were close to Buckingham palace (and again, figured everything would be over), we might as well go over and show her that too. Well we got there, and there was still a huge crowd. Obviously much smaller than earlier in the day, but still quite large. There was also still various news stations in their fancy booths, and junk (tents, sleeping bags, wine and alcohol bottles, food wrappers) absolutely everywhere from people camping out to be first there to see the Royals. Well we got close enough to the crows and stood behind this metal barrier to let Marlene stand on it to get a picture of the palace. As we were doing this, the Police pushed the huge crowd back behind the very barriers we were standing at, that were previously empty, to leave the drive totally clear for the Royals that were apparently returning home from some banquet. So we ended up being front row against these barriers to see the Royals' cars (not themselves, but rather their cars with a hand waiving, as the windows are so tinted you can't see anything) drive past right in front of us. The guy next to us was complaining that he had been here all bloody day thanks to his girlfriend, and was hoping that after this they could go home, and we ended up seeing it by accident.
After all of this, Marlene and I were completely exhausted and wanted to just sit and relax for a bit. However, Alison had planned this night at "the poshest club in London" with her friends. Going out with Alison and her friends means front of the line with the fancy bouncer opening the red velvet rope for you, one of the best tables in the house, totally free, with free cocktails all night, and absolutely gorgeous wealthy men vying for your attention at the table. Needless to say, not my scene. lol. I've experienced it many times before, and honestly, I would rather be sitting on a curb with a bottle of Arbor mist and some good friends, than being in a fancy club, with fancy Champagne and shallow strangers. It's my rural SK roots coming out. So I declined the evening, and spent a lovely relaxing evening at home, reading the Souvenir Royal Wedding Newspaper, watching an episode or two on Alison's crappy laptop, and going to bed, while Marlene and Alison went out. It was a near-perfect day.
I know I promised the highlights real and not blow by blow, but believe me, that was. A detailed rendition of everything that we saw, experienced, and that happened Friday would take ages. Saturday was not as eventful. Same thing, Alison had to work, which again suited us fine, so we got up early, went to breakfast again, and set out on the City. We first went to Portobello Road Market, which is this absolutely HUGE road market that spans for an entire neighbourhood, and would take you a full 8 hour day just to get through it. And even then you might not make it. It has everything from Antiques, jewellery, fruits and veggies, meats and cheeses, clothes, cars, etc. Everything. I ended up getting a petticoat, a few books, and some heels, all for 30 pounds. However, since the market is so huge, by the time we finally left it was already 2 in the afternoon. So from there we headed to the City (centre), and I wandered through Soho, past Piccadilly Circus, to Covent Gardens going in all kinds of little shops, sitting at fabulous cafés drinking the best chai lattes I've had, and watching street performers. When we headed home, Alison cooked some platanes and we got ready to go out on the town. Now this is where the excitement of Saturday starts.
Alison and I decided on this certain club to go to, so we thought we'd just head to a random lounge/bar in Soho before. True to form, by the time the three of us *cough*Alison and Marlene*, finally got ready, and by the time we finally got there, I felt like I had aged. So we go in to this random lounge, and Alison isn't sure she wants to stay there, so she goes to the bar to look at the menu. I, by this point, bored and tired, just want to get a drink and start enjoying the evening. This guy catches me yawning, and comes over to bug me about it. At one point, he elbows Marlene and tries to include her in the razzing, and Alison and I use that to sneak away downstairs, feeding Marlene to the wolves. Haha. But, downstairs was dull too, so we had to come back up. By the time we got back, Marlene was shooting us a half murderous look, and her and the guy were doing a shot together. The guy says "What were you girls trying to sneak off?? Come have a drink with us! What are you drinking? *looks at our empty hands**to the bartender*Three Red Passions, to my table!" Marlene and Alison look at me for approval on what to do, I decided that I guess we can stay for one drink.....
Well we follow the guy to his table, and find 2 other girls, a guy, and the guys' friend there. Turns out the 2 girls an guy had also randomly been brought to the group earlier in the night. I ended up having a great conversation with the 2 girls, Nadia and fuck why am I so bad with names. Nevertheless, they were Swedish, but had lived in London forever, and had a North American parent each. Great girls, we ended up having so much fun the rest of the night together. Yes, we ended up spending the rest of the night together. But back to the table. We sat down and our drinks were waiting for us. We all started talking, laughing, etc. And the first guy who brought us there, kept having another drink waiting for us even before the first was finished. Then there were rounds of delicious shots that came, the who could drink sexier competition, which I won btw, and more random people. Finally, hours later, Alison nudges me and says its time to go to the club, she wants to go dancing. I agree, so I tell the guy that we want to go dancing, so we're going to head off. Course at this point, Marlene has found another latina, and they are off somewhere else in the bar talking, like they do when they find each other. lol. This give the guy time to come up with a plan, and announces that they are also going dancing, at this club right near by, we should come with. Before we have time to find Marlene and decide what we should do, we are being led through the back door, down some very fancy back alley, and through this door with no sign and only a bouncer in a suit standing at the door. They exchange some handshake and words, and we all proceed through the door downstairs to this fairly small, but very elegant and packed club with white floors walls and ceiling, fish tanks in the walls, flashy disco and fancy lights everywhere, and DJ blasting beats. The guy walks up to one of the waitresses, and announces that he'd like a table for roughly 15 people. The nervous waitress gives a quick glance around the packed bar, and says she'll see what she can do. Within less than 10 minutes we have a very nice corner area, for 15 people, with a big bucket of 3 different bottles of wine, a few bottles of liquor, and 15 glasses in a fancy triangle waiting for us. I spent the rest of the night dancing with Alison and girls name who I can't remember, Nadine?, outside with Nadia helping her screw around with these guys who invited us to the most exclusive after party club in London, which is apparently by invite only (we didn't end up going, as there were guys in the group, and for them it would have been 500 quid each, just to get in the door), and thoroughly enjoying the night. I later found out that to get a table at that club we were at is a minimum of 500 pounds. After this, we went with the girls and the guy, who girls and guy were engaged and had this fabulous home basically in the suburbs of London, back to their place for some Champagne, snacks, and Xbox with the kinetic camera. By the time alllll of this was over, we started our adventure to get back home at 6:30 in the morning, Alison having left the club around 3, as she worked in the morning again, and Marlene having been falling asleep since 3:30-4ish. I think between the taxi with two guys that were at their house, stopping at their place to chat, walking to the bus from there, taking the bus to a place I recognized, which ended up being the station we came in at, then taking the metro to near her place, THEN taking the bus to her flat, it ended being around 8:30 by the time we got home. Needless to say, we quickly got ready for bed and passed out until noon-1am ish.
When we woke up the next morning, or rather, later in the day, Alison was gone to another audition, so we took our time packing our bags and getting ready and slowly wandered out to the main district near her place to have some brunch. We found this make-your-own burger place and had these absolutely huge and amazing burgers, the best I've had since leaving Canada by far, with good service! (That was also a first since being in Belgium). After this we slowly made our way up to near the station, and went to meet Alison and have one last Starbucks before heading back to goodcoffeeless Belgium. While in the neighbourhood we also wandered this fantastic Alternative bookstore, where after 5 minutes and one shelf I had already bought two books. We then said our goodbyes to Alison to make our way to the Eurostar check in, as she tried to convince me to come visit very soon, or/and to move to London in the fall. Yeah, like I needed any convincing.
