Six Days in London

Back in December, I asked Linda, my travel, walking, movie-going friend, if she would consider going with me to London to see Cynthia Erivo in Dracula, in which she plays all 23 parts.  Linda said, “Absolutely!”   We have been planning this trip for weeks.  Both of us being organized people, we arrived at LAX in plenty of time to hang out in the lounge and play cards before our flight.  (Linda beat me decisively.)  

We left on Tuesday evening and arrived at Heathrow at 1:30 on Wednesday afternoon.  Neither Linda or I got more than a couple hours of sleep.  We wound our way around to the Underground and got on the Piccadilly line.  In a half hour we were at our station and trying to follow Google Maps to our hotel.  I only made Linda cross the same street twice before we were headed in the right direction.

I have been wowed by how helpful and friendly people are here.  As we left the Underground, one young man saw me hesitate at a long staircase.  He picked up my suitcase and carried it to the top.  At another staircase a young woman offered to carry my bag up the stairs. The front desk staff at the hotel was beyond nice and helpful.  In fact, one of the staff members told us he has been to Claremont several times.  I knew he was being truthful when he said that he loves to drive to Euclid in Upland and look up at Mt. Baldy.  Tonight we headed to Tesco to stock up on drinks and snacks.  We were browsing the candy aisle because…well why not…and two different women made candy suggestions to us.  I was worried that people would be cold to us given what is happening in the US these days.  But we have been treated with loving kindness.  

We unpacked and showered and headed out in search of dinner.  We ate at a French restaurant close to our hotel, Palm Court Brasserie.  Our salad with a caramel vinaigrette was delicious.  I need to look up how to make that dressing.  We dined on steak frites and had a relaxing walk back to our hotel, Resident Covent Garden.  

We are in the heart of the theatre district and the tourist part of London.  You know you are in the touristy part of town when you see rickshaws decked out in neon lights.

We were both exhausted and headed to bed quickly after we got to our room.  The real adventure begins tomorrow.