My flight from DFW was pleasant except for the wicked case of chapped lips that hit somewhere over the Atlantic (I used to have a lot of chapstick until I met Natalie Lyons and she 'borrowed' it all away!). I have to say that I never feel quite so close to God as when I'm in a plane accelerating on takeoff. When the jets rev up and the whole fuselage begins to shake, I literally start muttering scripture under my breath. The confluence of all that power and energy just touches my soul unlike anything else in this world. That's probably why I also love fire, shockwaves, and weapons systems. I'm too jetlagged to explain away the irony, so I'll just agree that I'm weird and move on. I'm pretty easy to spot right now... I'm the guy with the ridiculous smile plastered on his face. I was a bit worried that London wouldn't meet my expectations, but instead the capital city has far exceeded them. I'm a huge public transportation nut so I bought a day pass on the tube and have explored EVERY station and rail center in central London (took about 10 hours). And Mrs. Hobbs, I'm sorry to report that after visiting Victoria station (see above photo) these poor muggle-born eyes couldn't find Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. I would have started pushing against the brick pillar, but the attendants were already looking at me like I was a total idiot.
My Eagle Scout friends always make fun of me for being the anti-boy scout, since I never prepare for anything (I once brought nothing but a pillow and a sheet to an extremely cold campout and was forced to... well, never mind that). True to form I showed up for my one day London layover without any idea where I would stay for the night. I began looking for a hotel room at 9 o'clock this morning and finally found an extremely cheap room here:
Pretty impressive, don't you think? If you ever find yourself in central London and need a room for less than $100, I highly recommend Travelodge. I'm forcing myself to stay up another couple of hours to kill off the jetlag, and tomorrow I'll fly to Norway to stay with my friends Madeline and Alexander. As far as adjusting to the culture, I honestly think I've been culture shocked for the past 25 years and am just now in my natural element. I have noticed that many Londoners don't speak the same Queen's English I learned from the BBC... I've learned that when someone from Hackney says something to you, it's best to give a quizzical expression and say "that's interesting" or "I'll keep that in mind." And if you find yourself walking through a dark alley at night in a rough part of town, the best thing to do is wear a vacant expression and mutter to yourself "I killed him, I can't believe I killed him." There are definitely some rapscallions and scallywags here, but even they don't want to mess with a psychopath. Man, I love this city. Peace out ya'll and remember, no matter what happens, always MIND THE GAP... MIND THE GAP... MIND THE GAP...
4 comments:
Matt You're finally home! It was sad to see you go, but I always knew that London was where you belonged (my second guess would have been anywhere in France). It's kind of like that movie "Free Willy" where the kid just wants his friend Willy-the-whale to go back to his natural habitat because that's where he belongs. I guess that makes me kind of like the kid.... and you would be the whale.
Have a good trip.
Hey Matt! This is Kristal. I'm glad that you are having a good time. Your blog makes me laugh. Take care while you are away....see you later!
OY! Keep your fingers out of my soup!
London quote for the day, and hope you never have to use it.
As usual i love reading your blog, keep it up, and CHEERIO mate.
matt, that is really sad to hear about the chapped lips...i can't imagine anything worse on an international flight! i hear everyone uses chapstick there, right? none of that carmex crap or burts bees:)
nat
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