Oct 16: A Walk along the Thames
Yesterday was such a long day that I couldn't even begin to think about writing anything cheerful and legible. Somehow we got all twisted up around St. Paul's last night after a foray into H&M to find a coat for Maria (this weather is really chilly) and on top of not finding a coat, we couldn't find the Underground or Rail to get back to Greenwich. It was dreadful, because we were exhausted, cold and trekking all over that part of town trying to find someplace that wouldn't take us to the West End or something far away from food, beds and a warm flat. Eventually we did figure it out and found our way back, and we now know a great deal more about the London DLR, tube and networks.
However, as a great unexpected bonus James discovered that a little tunnel we all admired off Fairthorn (our street) was actually a great shortcut to the Westcombe Station where we can catch the Southeastern to Central London.
We've pretty much given up trying to look not like tourists. A group of six would never pass for Londoners unless you're standing outside a tavern with a beer in your hand. Everyone drinks beer around here, it's rare to see anyone drink anything other than that, or maybe a glass of wine.
Our first stop yesterday was Borough Market, which we all completely fell in love with. It was full of Indian, Greek, and local cuisine, cheeses, meats and vegetables.
Kerri and I opted for koftas, James and Titus went for hearty meat sandwiches, and Ali and Maria bought chicken and gravy meat pies. We definitely plan to go back and eat there again, as well as buy bread and cheese.
I was enamored with cheeses, obviously.
After we could tear ourselves away from the market we walked on down to the Tower Bridge, and oddly enough got distracted, after our first glimpse, with forced perspective.
But after all we made it to the bridge, and this is where things turned a little magical. It's one thing to hear and read about things for a whole lifetime and another to see a place become real; it's like stepping into a fairy tale full of wonder, and tourists. If one can visually photoshop out the other visitors on the spot it actually becomes beautiful. I mean, it's one thing to look "Walk by the Thames" up on Pinterest and ooh and ah over the pictures, but there's nothing like the moment when you walk along the Thames.
Um, looks like this guy and I were both taking pictures of each other. That's awkward.
It was a long day, but it was a super day. All in all, I'd say we're beginning to fall in love with London. Stay tuned, there's a blog post coming on British Humor. It'll be a good one, and include yours truly, a hat, and a London gentleman.
