From The Top
And the cycle starts again.
Where is my passport? Which suitcase should I use? Will I be able to sleep on the plane? Ten hours in flight, really? How many snacks should I bring? How many movies can I cram on my iPad? Ohmuhgawdinheaven I’m really doing this again?
Yup.
I’m really doing this again.
A plane ride is nigh. My third international trip in three months.
April = Singapore
May = Costa Rica
And that must mean it is June and time for travel to the UK.
A new beginning. A new trip. An old country that’s brand new to me.
Ever since I was a small child I’ve wanted to go to London. I’ve always felt a yearning to be there. Can’t explain why, but it calls to me. I’ve even blogged about my rampant anglophilia. My fave of those posts is here
When my fabulous cousin made one of his many trips, I’d read his travel journals with a mixture of envy and “I gotta get there too”.
And so I finally get to go, but it’s with less excitement and a little more pondering that I face this trip.
I think when I was a kid and fantasized about being in London, it was all double decker buses and tea and crumpets and Big Ben. Never in those dreams did I image myself trapped in a conference room for hours and hours belaboring even the smallest of points with a far too large and much too arrogant telecom company.
Beggars can’t be choosers. My company is footing the bill for airfare and a serviceable hotel for me. I will stay for two weeks in a town located about an hour outside of London. I will work my butt off on this trip, to be sure. But I also have two weekends to myself to explore.
I’m actually overwhelmed. How does one see London in just a few days! London Bridge and Parliament and 10 Downing Street and the London Eye and Piccadilly Circus and more and more and more!
Gah!
I’m nervous and daunted but underneath it all I’m also pretty happy to finally fulfill a dream!
And so as I walk around my office today making plans and wrapping up details, I hum quietly to myself a favorite Roger Miller tune:
England swings like a pendulum do,
Bobbies on bicycles, two by two,
Westminster Abbey the tower of Big Ben,
The rosy red cheeks of the little children.
Hang on! Put on your seatbelt. Keep all limbs inside the vehicle.
And awaaaaay we goooooo!
Image found at World Tourist Place.
Today’s Theme Thursday is: a new beginning
Comments
Mrsupole
Hi Karen,
Okay, I am getting so jealous here but at the same time I would not enjoy the airport checks. But you have to admit that at at least with this one they will speak English. Well not the same English we speak but it will be close enough. I can see it now, the Brits shaking their heads while you are speaking American and they are speaking English. When the girls were little we lived for a little while just north of San Diego and the neighbor girl was from England. The girls would come and ask me what she was saying and they would have no idea what she said. Most of the times I would figure it out but sometimes I would have no clue.
You are really lucky to be going on such great adventures. I hope you have a nice go.
Thanks for sharing your future travel plans with us for this weeks Theme Thursday.
God bless.
Karen Fayeth
Mrsupole – Thanks for stopping by!! Glad to see you back visiting! Hugs! I’ll have some fabulous English chocolate and maybe a spot of tea for you while I’m there!
Ur bro
Take the tube. You can get everywhere very efficiently on the tube.
Karen Fayeth
Bro – Oh, I imagine I’ll have plenty of chances to Mind the Gap.
Natalie
All I can think of is, “sausage”. Why is that? I don’t think tea or crumpet or Big Ben. Just sausage.
Weird.
Maybe I’m hungry?
Have a great trip. God Save The Queen!
:)
Gill Mojo
I was born in London, and the real London is a million miles away from the legend. Personally I’d avoid all the tourist traps like the London Eye and Parliament, especially on weekends. Instead, get on a Tube (avoid buses like the plague!), pick a destination and go. See the real London instead of the tourist one and I swear you will have a far better experience.
There are some very cool suggestions here – http://www.virgin-vacations.com/101-things-to-do-in-london.aspx –
The only tourist trap I would go for is the Tower of London. Beautiful place and still has an amazing vibe, my personal favourite.