Beginnings

This trip I am trying low-tech ('old school') travel. No cellphone, camera, iPod or computer. Also, unintentionally, without a watch. I found last time that travelling without a time-telling device is a terrible idea, so I may have to buy one. But the others ARE intentional, mainly for the purpose of travelling with a degree of immersion wherever I happen to be. I've found that its hard to really experience cities through the isolation created by the sound barrier of an iPod or the lense of a camera. So far it isn't so bad, although already on the plane over I sorely missed my iPod due to the presence of The Snorer in the seat directly behind me.

Ah, The Snorer. I wish there were some way to request, instead of an aisle or window seat, a seat away from crying babies or, in this case, The Snorer. I swear that this man started snoring the minute he came on board (aided by a sleeping pill, perhaps?) and besides mealtimes didn't stop until we landed in Heathrow. This is impressive, since Dallas to Heathrow takes about 8.5 hours. One has to admire the dedication.

So, my plane flight wasn't exactly restful. I managed to sleep a bit - I think - but tossed and turned and cursed the nasal passages of that man. Still, I survived. On another note, I wouldn't neccesarily recommend American Airlines for Transatlantic flights. No personal screen, relatively little space, and you have to pay for wine (shock! horror!).

Regardless, I arrived safe and sound, sailing through customs and navigating the Underground to the lovely house/apartment where I am staying with family friends Marianne and Ron. Its about a two minute walk from South Kensington station, just by the VA and the Natural History Museum. The French Academy is half a block away, so the area is also a very French part of London. After I arrived Ron and I went for a walk to find a sandwich and passed a cafe crowded with the sound of French that Ron said was filled every morning by French women drinking cafe. I am always surprised about just how international a city London is, although its probably more so in the summer. But just the number of languages around! The food choices! The range of people! I love it. London may be one of the most perfect cities in the world (free museums!), if only it weren't so crazy expensive.
Speaking of which, looking at the prices in realtor's windows, a room here would cost per week what my rent in Austin costs per month, if not more. Well, a girl can dream.

Anyway, post sandwich and tea at a lovely (chain) cafe called Paul's - where all the employees are French, it seems - Ron and I went to VA to look at their theatrical costume exhibit, which was wonderful. Returning to the house, Marianne and her two sisters Charlotte and Judy had returned from Kew Gardens. M&R and I shortly set out on a walk in Chelsea, visiting a statue of Sir Thomas More (Saint, Scholar, Statesman read the base) and the houses of various luminaries of the world of art and literature, including Oscar Wilde. What a clever man.

At that point it had been a long day for all, so dinner, a British murder mystery and bed followed each other in that order.

Then, of course, I woke up around 5 because my sleep schedule is completely out of wack and couldn't go back to sleep, so here I am. Apologies for incoherence or general uninteresting blathering. I will try to do better in the future.

Today, we are probably going to Cambridge. And tonight, Macbeth at the Globe!