I had a few things on my mind: find my luggage, get a SIM card, and manage the underground to Martina's.
All were successful missions.
Maybe you've seen it, maybe you haven't, so for those of you in the latter crowd here is a sweet taste of the innards of the Piccadilly Line:
Stunning, I know. Hardly like anyway metro subway anywhere. Fortunately, I had the pleasure of riding one of the cleaner routes and trains, as I was later told. I seemed pleasant enough to me.
In short order, I landed up at the Knightsbridge station. Escalators weren't working at some points, and I was to lazy to be bothered with finding the lift, so I hauled my 70lbs of luggage up the stairs. I can still feel the blisters threatening to form on my fingers.
When I finally emerged, I found Martina standing in the company of an exit security guard. Thankfully there was a lull in the onslaught of drizzle (bad word for weather, good word for chocolate sauce), so we only had to deal with slogging my stuff along the wet streets.
Marco greeted us once we reached their home. Living on the West coast for as long as I have now, I'm rusty with the international multi-cheek kissing. I can't remember if there was ever a left or right start protocol. I was temporarily horrified that I'd screw this up and end up kissing some one on the lips. But as I learned in dance lessons of yore, let your partner take the lead. I got nothing but cheek ;)
We enjoyed a lovely lunch, then Martina and I set out for a bit of walking around the neighborhood. Nearly three hours, to be more specific.
One thing that ought to be said, the area Martina and Marco live in is akin to Rodeo Drive or Fifth Avenue. All the expected high end stores line the nearby streets, along with multi-million dollar row houses and flats, AND expensive cars which left me wondering if a neighborhood association bulletin went out to encourage outlandish vehicle ownership.
I did enjoy some more 'touristy' sights such as Harrods:
Other sights that appealed to my senses as a traveler included the Cafe Rouge and The Pie Man. The latter makes my think of the Strawberry Shortcake toys I played with as a kid.
And, at first I thought it was just me, but after a bit I realized there really was a garden gnome infestation. Or at least an unhealthy and shared obsession by area merchants to use these critters in their display windows. I resisted the urge to photograph the first dozen or so, but then I came across a gilded beauty that weakened my defenses.
And a personal favorite...the Time Out series. Their simply a good read, if not trashy from time to time. My years in New York wouldn't have been nearly as lively without out the weekly activity dirt this magazine dishes.
Enough, you say, of the modern stuff, where are the fineries of English architecture. Well, I can't say that I saw too, too much of that, but here's a bit of what was around...
Okay, it's true, this doesn't look all that old, but I was told by my tour guide that Gregory Peck used to live in this house. I was unable at this time to independently verify this fact (hey it's 1:30am here), but I'll pretend like it's true until some tells me otherwise.
Speaking of things in or out of fashion, I had a delightful flight companion name Andrea who works as a garden photographer. She informed me that roses are coming back into fashion. However, it's my humble opinion that they never went out of fashion, at least not in London.
Oh, and lion statues never went out of fashion either. For like five hundred years or so.
London also sports some of the finest craftsmanship for sewer covers...or is this simply sidewalk decor?
Sadly, headstones are being recycled (one can only guess what for). These lined a lovely alley area by St. Luke's gardens.
This church is special. It's Martina and Marco's church. I think this is where Martina gave her confession (I think) when she finished her conversion to Catholicism recently. Honestly, I'm surprised it's still standing after that!
Traveling at the speed of light...or just a slow exposure? Wild guess?
Home at last.
Overall, a fantastic first day in L-Town. Let's see what surprises are in store for this traveler tomorrow.
Peace,
A Pink American
In short order, I landed up at the Knightsbridge station. Escalators weren't working at some points, and I was to lazy to be bothered with finding the lift, so I hauled my 70lbs of luggage up the stairs. I can still feel the blisters threatening to form on my fingers.
When I finally emerged, I found Martina standing in the company of an exit security guard. Thankfully there was a lull in the onslaught of drizzle (bad word for weather, good word for chocolate sauce), so we only had to deal with slogging my stuff along the wet streets.
Marco greeted us once we reached their home. Living on the West coast for as long as I have now, I'm rusty with the international multi-cheek kissing. I can't remember if there was ever a left or right start protocol. I was temporarily horrified that I'd screw this up and end up kissing some one on the lips. But as I learned in dance lessons of yore, let your partner take the lead. I got nothing but cheek ;)
We enjoyed a lovely lunch, then Martina and I set out for a bit of walking around the neighborhood. Nearly three hours, to be more specific.
One thing that ought to be said, the area Martina and Marco live in is akin to Rodeo Drive or Fifth Avenue. All the expected high end stores line the nearby streets, along with multi-million dollar row houses and flats, AND expensive cars which left me wondering if a neighborhood association bulletin went out to encourage outlandish vehicle ownership.
I did enjoy some more 'touristy' sights such as Harrods:
Attached to Harrod's is Laduree. Martina first discovered this place in Paris and was thrilled to find one here. Tea was out of the question, due to the long lines, but we did enjoy some of their out of this world macaroons. At 6.5 GBP per 4 (okay, let's see that's about $13 for 4 oreo-sized cookies) they were hardly a deal, but boy were they a treat.
Other sights that appealed to my senses as a traveler included the Cafe Rouge and The Pie Man. The latter makes my think of the Strawberry Shortcake toys I played with as a kid.
And, at first I thought it was just me, but after a bit I realized there really was a garden gnome infestation. Or at least an unhealthy and shared obsession by area merchants to use these critters in their display windows. I resisted the urge to photograph the first dozen or so, but then I came across a gilded beauty that weakened my defenses.
Sure, what would the streets of London be without the double decker bus (nice snap Martina...though it looks as if jet lag has the upper hand as I willingly stand in the path of the bus and ready myself for the worst.)
And, of course, we have the red phone booth, which you can see from this snap is gone the way of the dinosaurs (psst, the guy next to it is on a cell phone). I heard tell that the booths serve as little more than a place to post ads for porn sites and phone numbers for call girls. I didn't confirm this filthy rumor, but I can point fingers as to who started it.
And a personal favorite...the Time Out series. Their simply a good read, if not trashy from time to time. My years in New York wouldn't have been nearly as lively without out the weekly activity dirt this magazine dishes.
Enough, you say, of the modern stuff, where are the fineries of English architecture. Well, I can't say that I saw too, too much of that, but here's a bit of what was around...
Okay, it's true, this doesn't look all that old, but I was told by my tour guide that Gregory Peck used to live in this house. I was unable at this time to independently verify this fact (hey it's 1:30am here), but I'll pretend like it's true until some tells me otherwise.
Here's some of the old stuff. These buildings have date blocks reading 1890, so I'm guessing that's when they were built. And given the nifty original hardware adorning most doorsteps, I'm going to go with 1890. When did pooh-scrapers go out of fashion anyway?
Speaking of things in or out of fashion, I had a delightful flight companion name Andrea who works as a garden photographer. She informed me that roses are coming back into fashion. However, it's my humble opinion that they never went out of fashion, at least not in London.
Oh, and lion statues never went out of fashion either. For like five hundred years or so.
Right, I forgot about churches. They're also quite fashionable throughout the area (saw plenty from the plane too). Apparently they are all the rage with copper thieves, who rip off their rain gutters.
London also sports some of the finest craftsmanship for sewer covers...or is this simply sidewalk decor?
Sadly, headstones are being recycled (one can only guess what for). These lined a lovely alley area by St. Luke's gardens.
This church is special. It's Martina and Marco's church. I think this is where Martina gave her confession (I think) when she finished her conversion to Catholicism recently. Honestly, I'm surprised it's still standing after that!
My hosts were kind enough to bring me along to a dinner at their friend's (mostly Marco's friends) house. A lovely place indeed. We enjoyed an evening of great food and conversation, which was frequently peppered with Italian.
Have you heard this piece of advice for newlyweds? Get a big jar. During the first year of marriage drop in a bean for every time you, ahem, make whoopy. After the first year, take one bean out for each time. Some say it takes fifteen years to empty the jar.
This story is even funnier the second time, when told in Italian.
On the ride home, I rolled down the window--like the travel dog I am--to enjoy the fresh air and sights.
Michelin? Who knew.
Have you heard this piece of advice for newlyweds? Get a big jar. During the first year of marriage drop in a bean for every time you, ahem, make whoopy. After the first year, take one bean out for each time. Some say it takes fifteen years to empty the jar.
This story is even funnier the second time, when told in Italian.
On the ride home, I rolled down the window--like the travel dog I am--to enjoy the fresh air and sights.
Michelin? Who knew.
Traveling at the speed of light...or just a slow exposure? Wild guess?
Home at last.
Overall, a fantastic first day in L-Town. Let's see what surprises are in store for this traveler tomorrow.
Peace,
A Pink American
3 comments:
Glad to see that you got there safe and sound. And the rain... sigh. I suppose that gets too much after a while, but seeing from here, it does look good. Looks like London it's its charming self. It's been a lot of years since I've been there.
Adriana, The Goat Herder
Just please tell me how you had the energy to do all this on your first day? I'm impressed!
Keep having fun.:)Caron
Well, looks as though you fit right in! :) Would love to go ther with you some day. Hope to read more soon-- of your trip and the book of course. Love the cover!!!
Love you!
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