Hello Flist!
You might remember me. My name is Isa and I’m writing in this little journal from time to time and tell you about my adventures in the big wide world.
As I hardly have time to write or read at work, because this job keeps me on my toes all day long, my journal seems to get a bit neglected.
I have been to London with my little sister and I’d like to christen this trip "How we got spoon-fed by a waiter".
It started as these things usually do with a journey to the airport on Thursday morning. I looked out of the train and there was a "tad bit" of fog. You couldn't see a bloody thing but white. This was going to be interesting.
We arrived at the airport, checked in, sat down at the gate and went for a bit of shopping. Love buying perfume on sale. We waited a bit more and then the stewardesses showed up, only to tell us, that the incoming plane was delayed due to the weather conditions and that our boarding might have to wait for another 20-30 minutes.
90 minutes later, we were finally allowed to get on the bus, which was bringing us to the plane. The bus doors were open and we didn’t depart. Why? 5 minutes later two older guys showed up laughing. They had been sitting at the bar, chatting and drinking and hadn't heard the call for boarding. *grrrr*
The flight itself was uneventful. We arrived late in Stansted and had to get on a bus, which was overly full, because several other people had also booked their trip to London and now we were late…
We stayed at the Generator in a twin room, which actually had four beds. Lots of space, good! My sister was a bit shocked by London itself. As she is only used to Munich as an example for a big city and Munich is actually the largest village in the world, this was quite a culture shock. But she adapted quickly.
We went to Covent Garden, walked around a bit, had a coffee/tea and finally went to the Lyceum Theatre for our big event: the musical the Lion King.
What can I say? It was brilliant. Abso-fucking-lutely brilliant. Loved the music, loved the singers, loved the costumes, loved the stage. And loved our front row seats on the Royal Circle. If I’d had the money, I would have gone back the next day to watch it again.
Friday morning started with a tour around London in a bus. Not one of the sighseeing ones, just a regular bus, which passed the interesting things though. We strolled around the Tower, but didn’t go in, because it was way too expensive for our taste.
Then we went to the British Museum, looking if the mummies were still dried and shrivelled. Yes, they were. I find it always amazing how many things the Brits had dragged from Egypt to London. Mental, I tell you.
For the rest of the day I think we were doing some shopping, then we thought it might be a good idea to have a look at Harrods.
On Friday afternoon.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
There were thousands of people, all squeezing through too little space and whatever you found nice was way too expensive to even consider buying. After a while I needed to get out there as soon as possible. I'm not claustrophobic, but this was too much for me. So we got out and sat down for a while in Hyde Park. I could have hugged the trees, I was that happy to see them.
That's when I realized, I finally have got enough of even the last city I used to like. I need nature around me. The older I get, the more I want to run away and live in a house in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by trees and hills. (With all the comforts of modern life, of course!)
We wanted to meet littleshakes13 for dinner and she wanted us to meet not far, so we decided to walk there.
Along Oxford Street.
Friday afternoon.
Experiencing what rush hour really means.
*shakes head*
Littles picked us up and we went back the way we came, because the restaurant was in that direction. Ahh! But it was worth it. A tiny place, but as soon as the head waiter had spotted Aimee, we were pulled in, kissed and placed at a table. The only thing we didn't like that evening was the time until we finally got our food. Too bloody long, people!
But apart from that, yummy food, funny waiter and we had a great time seeing each other again. I had brought some Kohlrabi for Aimee. :o)
When we finished the main course, we weren’t sure to have dessert. Jonathon, the head waiter, looked at Littles and said: "Tiramisu with three spoons." Okay, why not?!
He brought the Tiramisu, put it on the table, took one spoon of Tiramisu and pushed it into Aimees mouth, before she could do anything. Then he grinned at me and said: "You too, huh?" Without waiting for an answer I had my mouth full of dessert. My sister got one, too, then he left.
After dinner we went to a bar, where Littles managed to get us all our drinks for free, because the bar keeper has a crush on her. Good girl! :D
Saturday. What did we do then? Oh right. Breakfast. Now I remember.
As the Generator had no British Breakfast for me (shame on both their houses!), we went out to find some place that did. But somehow it got difficult. The first one was closed. The second one should have been open, but was also closed, the third, fourth and fifth didn't serve BB... After quite some time we finally found a place. But I'm definitely not going back there again. Stupid place, stupid waitress forgot my beans. :o(
Afterwards we walked from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace. St.James Park is nice. Especially the squirrels. Loved how cheeky the little bastards were.
We walked to the Parliament and Westminster Abby, but too many people waited in front of the later, so we decided to go shopping instead.
Camden High Street was packed with people and the market it's usual chaotic self. Little sis even managed to find some clothing!! Thank god, because it wasn't that easy for a tiny little thing like her. I on the other hand tried to chant "No shopping, no shopping" to prevent the worst and it only prevented the worst. Money, where have you gone? Here and there and everywhere. *sigh*
After a quick dinner, we went back to the hostel, where I had to sit down for a while. No idea where it came from this time, but the stupid water is back in my legs. Walking all day long should be good, one might think, but was only painful.
We went out again anyway, because we wanted to go on one of those Jack the Ripper tours. Unfortunately our guide had a very strong accent and so my sis didn't understand most of it. But stubborn as she is, she didn't say anything, just tagged along. *shakes head*
Sunday was boring, because we didn't have enough time to do some actual sight seeing, but too much for hurrying. So we sat around waiting a lot, until we finally went to Heathrow. The check-in was fine, I spent my last money in the duty free on DVDs and books and finally we boarded the plane.
Those of you knowing my history with Heathrow might wonder, how I managed that? But don't worry, here comes the tricky part.
We sat and waited for the plane to move.
It didn't.
The co-pilot told us, that the pusher was broken and we were sitting ducks until they figured out how to repair it or bring a new one.
15 minutes later the info: they had to repair it, because there wasn't a spare pusher in all of Heathrow.
Another 20 minutes later: We moved!
This time the flight was bumpy, but thanks to the wind, we managed to make some time and arrived only 10 minutes late. Wow.
Dad picked us up from the airport and drove us home. Yay!
It was nice spending a few days with my sister. I'm still amazed how easily we get along. Nice trip. But one thing I know now: I definitely need to go back to the Highlands soon. *snort*
As I hardly have time to write or read at work, because this job keeps me on my toes all day long, my journal seems to get a bit neglected.
I have been to London with my little sister and I’d like to christen this trip "How we got spoon-fed by a waiter".
It started as these things usually do with a journey to the airport on Thursday morning. I looked out of the train and there was a "tad bit" of fog. You couldn't see a bloody thing but white. This was going to be interesting.
We arrived at the airport, checked in, sat down at the gate and went for a bit of shopping. Love buying perfume on sale. We waited a bit more and then the stewardesses showed up, only to tell us, that the incoming plane was delayed due to the weather conditions and that our boarding might have to wait for another 20-30 minutes.
90 minutes later, we were finally allowed to get on the bus, which was bringing us to the plane. The bus doors were open and we didn’t depart. Why? 5 minutes later two older guys showed up laughing. They had been sitting at the bar, chatting and drinking and hadn't heard the call for boarding. *grrrr*
The flight itself was uneventful. We arrived late in Stansted and had to get on a bus, which was overly full, because several other people had also booked their trip to London and now we were late…
We stayed at the Generator in a twin room, which actually had four beds. Lots of space, good! My sister was a bit shocked by London itself. As she is only used to Munich as an example for a big city and Munich is actually the largest village in the world, this was quite a culture shock. But she adapted quickly.
We went to Covent Garden, walked around a bit, had a coffee/tea and finally went to the Lyceum Theatre for our big event: the musical the Lion King.
What can I say? It was brilliant. Abso-fucking-lutely brilliant. Loved the music, loved the singers, loved the costumes, loved the stage. And loved our front row seats on the Royal Circle. If I’d had the money, I would have gone back the next day to watch it again.
Friday morning started with a tour around London in a bus. Not one of the sighseeing ones, just a regular bus, which passed the interesting things though. We strolled around the Tower, but didn’t go in, because it was way too expensive for our taste.
Then we went to the British Museum, looking if the mummies were still dried and shrivelled. Yes, they were. I find it always amazing how many things the Brits had dragged from Egypt to London. Mental, I tell you.
For the rest of the day I think we were doing some shopping, then we thought it might be a good idea to have a look at Harrods.
On Friday afternoon.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
There were thousands of people, all squeezing through too little space and whatever you found nice was way too expensive to even consider buying. After a while I needed to get out there as soon as possible. I'm not claustrophobic, but this was too much for me. So we got out and sat down for a while in Hyde Park. I could have hugged the trees, I was that happy to see them.
That's when I realized, I finally have got enough of even the last city I used to like. I need nature around me. The older I get, the more I want to run away and live in a house in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by trees and hills. (With all the comforts of modern life, of course!)
We wanted to meet littleshakes13 for dinner and she wanted us to meet not far, so we decided to walk there.
Along Oxford Street.
Friday afternoon.
Experiencing what rush hour really means.
*shakes head*
Littles picked us up and we went back the way we came, because the restaurant was in that direction. Ahh! But it was worth it. A tiny place, but as soon as the head waiter had spotted Aimee, we were pulled in, kissed and placed at a table. The only thing we didn't like that evening was the time until we finally got our food. Too bloody long, people!
But apart from that, yummy food, funny waiter and we had a great time seeing each other again. I had brought some Kohlrabi for Aimee. :o)
When we finished the main course, we weren’t sure to have dessert. Jonathon, the head waiter, looked at Littles and said: "Tiramisu with three spoons." Okay, why not?!
He brought the Tiramisu, put it on the table, took one spoon of Tiramisu and pushed it into Aimees mouth, before she could do anything. Then he grinned at me and said: "You too, huh?" Without waiting for an answer I had my mouth full of dessert. My sister got one, too, then he left.
After dinner we went to a bar, where Littles managed to get us all our drinks for free, because the bar keeper has a crush on her. Good girl! :D
Saturday. What did we do then? Oh right. Breakfast. Now I remember.
As the Generator had no British Breakfast for me (shame on both their houses!), we went out to find some place that did. But somehow it got difficult. The first one was closed. The second one should have been open, but was also closed, the third, fourth and fifth didn't serve BB... After quite some time we finally found a place. But I'm definitely not going back there again. Stupid place, stupid waitress forgot my beans. :o(
Afterwards we walked from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace. St.James Park is nice. Especially the squirrels. Loved how cheeky the little bastards were.
We walked to the Parliament and Westminster Abby, but too many people waited in front of the later, so we decided to go shopping instead.
Camden High Street was packed with people and the market it's usual chaotic self. Little sis even managed to find some clothing!! Thank god, because it wasn't that easy for a tiny little thing like her. I on the other hand tried to chant "No shopping, no shopping" to prevent the worst and it only prevented the worst. Money, where have you gone? Here and there and everywhere. *sigh*
After a quick dinner, we went back to the hostel, where I had to sit down for a while. No idea where it came from this time, but the stupid water is back in my legs. Walking all day long should be good, one might think, but was only painful.
We went out again anyway, because we wanted to go on one of those Jack the Ripper tours. Unfortunately our guide had a very strong accent and so my sis didn't understand most of it. But stubborn as she is, she didn't say anything, just tagged along. *shakes head*
Sunday was boring, because we didn't have enough time to do some actual sight seeing, but too much for hurrying. So we sat around waiting a lot, until we finally went to Heathrow. The check-in was fine, I spent my last money in the duty free on DVDs and books and finally we boarded the plane.
Those of you knowing my history with Heathrow might wonder, how I managed that? But don't worry, here comes the tricky part.
We sat and waited for the plane to move.
It didn't.
The co-pilot told us, that the pusher was broken and we were sitting ducks until they figured out how to repair it or bring a new one.
15 minutes later the info: they had to repair it, because there wasn't a spare pusher in all of Heathrow.
Another 20 minutes later: We moved!
This time the flight was bumpy, but thanks to the wind, we managed to make some time and arrived only 10 minutes late. Wow.
Dad picked us up from the airport and drove us home. Yay!
It was nice spending a few days with my sister. I'm still amazed how easily we get along. Nice trip. But one thing I know now: I definitely need to go back to the Highlands soon. *snort*