I’ve survived the flight and the plane didn’t crash. I’m now sitting in a pub called ‘Rat & Parrot’ in Earl’s Court, London. I would have thought the trip was surreal but really it was normal feeling.I grabbed a few  beers and a Tootsie roll at the  Airport  bar before  leaving. This guy sat across the isle from me in the restaurant part of the bar. He was from Alaska and proceeded to inform me about all his wonderful attributes. He told me that whenever a woman would ask him where a good place to eat is he would respond, “how about my place”. He then started to tell me how to make buffalo wings.I had two small bottles of Merlot on the flight. One thing I never experienced before was that British Airlines supplied little  socks so you can walk around without your shoes on. I thought about taking them with me, but there’s plenty of time for thievery – later. I introduced myself to the three guys sitting next to me, “might as well get this out of the way…” The plane had 90 empty seats, so people jostled for the best positions as soon as everyone was on the plane.I slept for about an hour.Taking the underground was kinda’ neat. [Note to anyone Closter phobic You won’t like it.] I sat next to a woman who was listening to hip-hop and across from two people who were speaking in some language I’ve never heard before. So, I guess there’s the range… commonality mixed with the distinct feeing that you’re totally out of place. I didn’t say a word during the trip. I would have taken a picture… but, again, there will be time for that.Here’s what you need to know about the underground: Prices are based on zones. The more zones you cross, the more you have to pay. It’s about 2 1/2 pounds for a three zone ticket. You buy your ticket from machines or from a human. (It seems that most people would rather cue up behind the human. Maybe they don’t have exact change? I’ll have to look into it, ’cause it could be something I’m missing.) When you get your ticket you pass it to a machine, which spits it out the top. You then take the ticket to your final destination and pass it to an exit machine. This way they can verify that you didn’t go further than you paid for.How much of this did I know? None of it. first, I stood and stared at the ticket dispenser for 15 minutes. Everyone was cued up (Oh, an “exit” is called a “way out” here – make sense but sounds funny) in front of human. I thought if I waited long enough someone would eventually buy a ticket and I could figure out how it works. There are no instructions and the buttons only have prices on them (maybe that’s it, maybe if you buy a ticket from a human you get a more exact fare). Maybe I scared the timid English people… I don’t know, ’cause I eventually gave up and stood in the queue as well (ah, that’s it – no one knows how to use the damn machine). So, I slid my ticket to Earl’s Court into the turnstile machine and continued on my way. There was a sign on the train that said, “10 pound fine for failure to show ticket”. I didn’t see any conductors, so I thought I was safe – until I left the Earl’s Court station. Everyone had a ticket and was sliding them through the blasted contraptions again (how’s my English?). Anyway, luckily a nice woman who worked the turnstile let me pass. She gave me a warning, but I think she got the impression that I was clueless. Note: When back in America quickly fake a British accent when you realize you’re an idiot. People will not only believe your story better, but in some sick way they might feel sorry for you.As I found my way down Earl’s Court Road (the guy I talked to on the plane suggested that I start here) to this bar I passed at least seven bed and breakfasts. So, finding a place to stay won’t be a problem. However, I have not yet located a cash machine – that’s next on the agenda.Anyway, I’m going to finish my beer  , maybe have another and try to find something to do. I think I need a newspaper or local rag! Tonight, I feel, will be, for drinking. |
There’s no street signs in London!!!! You know how they tell what street you’re on? They have it written on the buildings. I had to ask a woman what street I was on. Then, she barely spoke English! What country am I in? Where are the God damn street signs? Where’s my beer?I decided to get a room. I’m tired, I’ll probably sleep throughout the night. Maybe I’ll wake up, have a few, and go back to bed. Well, my  room is right above the train station. Then again, I think the entire city is above the train station, or the “Underground”, as thy say, here in London. I’m still trying to get over thinking about Seattle’s underground whenever anyone says the word.Points to note: People here love to use the words, “<blank> is completely mad”, or “<blank> is a complete animal”. In fact, add the word “complete” to a sentence and it makes the statement that much more meaningful. I think I’m going to test this out later. In a conversation I’m going to see how many times I can say “completely” and not get an odd look.My concerns about getting on the net have been alleviated. Where I might not be able to get a net connection easily there are dozens of places to get on the web. I just need to buy a floppy, copy what I want to send – and use one of these net computers they have around the city.Oh, and I just blew out my radio shack AC converter. I was nervous about plugging the computer into the outlet without the converter, but the PC case says it can take 220… so it seems to be working. I’d just like to take this moment to say that Radio Shack sucks donkey dick.Before I hit the sheets I should mention that I went to a REALLY cool cemetery. I took a bunch of pictures. I spent maybe an hour walking through it. There were lots more crows than I what I caught on film, but whatever. You can bite me. <See the cemetery pictures by clicking here> |
Ok… the city shuts down. Most pubs close at 12:00. I found one club that’s open ’till 2:00, but it’s looked like a hole in the ground… oh wait, it was a hole in the ground. You have to walk through a sandwich shop to get to the stairs that lead into the basement, and they charge 3 pounds. ($5 US) I’m not that desperate tonight.I got a magazine called “Time Out”. It seems to be a good place to start. Lot’s of show listings and listings for pub locations.I did go to an Italian restaurant  , which actually is an interesting thing: It seems that most restaurants are open until 12:00, as the pubs. Lots of people walking the street at midnight… mostly though, I think they were all going home because that’s when they seem to roll up the streets, at least here in Earl’s Court.I suspect there are lots of nightlife, but I bet I just have to find it. |