Arriving in London

Linda and I flew in on different airlines that were supposed to arrive within minutes of each other.  But, alas, my plane took off late and then when we arrived there was no gate ready for us.   So Linda hung out in Terminal 2 for over an hour while I deboarded, went through passport control, found my bags (which are numerous since I will be gone for a month doing everything from fine dining to camping on a boat)….and tried to figure out how to get from Terminal 5 to Terminal 2 at Heathrow.  Once reunited we got on the underground and headed to our hotel — Citizen M Tower of London.  It took an hour and a half to get to our hotel that is right across the street from the Tower of London.  This is the view from my hotel room.

I got unpacked, changed and connected via text with Linda as well as Sara and Shelly who are also staying in this hotel, and have already been here for a couple days. All four of us met up and headed out to visit Spitafield’s Market not far from our hotel. We wandered through the market between booths selling mochi, cupcakes, jewelry, silver utensils, silk bathrobes, LPs, hats and more.  I finally broke down and bought a table runner that is made of merino wool and hand embroidered.  Sara asked the owner of the booth for a dinner recommendation and he suggested Bangladeshi food on Brick Lane.  So we headed over and hovered at the window of Graam Bangla, trying to decide if it looked good to us.  One of the wait staff came out and urged us in, enticing us with tastes so we could decide if we wanted to be adventurous.  King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla have been guests of the restaurant.  Photos of them visiting the restaurant hang on the door.  There is also a life size photo of him propped against the wall.  Sara took the chance to have a few words.

Well, if this place is good enough for the king, why not?  So we sat down and tried numerous dishes.  For the spicy wimps among us (my hand is raised) some of the dishes were challenging.  But those who love spice enjoyed every bite.  There was enough of every kind of food.  As it turns out, I am a big fan of mango lassi.  We left sated and walked back towards our hotel.  

Graffiti and collages enhance many walls.  I could have stayed and studied this one for a long time.

Since Sara and Shelly have been exploring for a couple days already they showed us the remnants of a Roman medieval city wall just steps from our hotel.  It is sandwiched between a hotel and an apartment building, left undisturbed and reminding the current residents of the long history of this place.

Not quite ready to part for the day we headed up to the rooftop bar in our hotel.  The view outside was incredible.  

But the fun was definitely inside with these fine people.  

After a cocktail I was ready to get some sleep.  It was a long plane ride.  London and these good friends will be here tomorrow for more adventure.