Sunday, December 20, 2009
Written: Day I was supposed to return (Wednesday)
I got my wish towards the very last leg of my vacation - I didn't want it to end, and I want to visit London in 2010. I am in London alright. Not intended nor the best arrangement possible, but nonetheless in London.
My flight from Rome to London was delayed, and thus missed my connecting flight to Las Vegas. Never mind, they gave us hotel rooms so at least I can take a shower.
I deeply regret sending my suitcase back with my parents to Singapore because I am now reduced to having to blow dry the pair of undies and socks that I was just wearing. That, or I could go commando, and that would not be my first choice preference to be honest.
Anyhow, seems like my grand plan of going to London came about 15 days early. =)
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I once read that this person whoever he was believed in waking up early every morning because that's the best time for money to be made.
I found out that indeed, if only I have the discipline to rise before dawn every day, I could be a much more accomplished person. I could be thin because I would go jogging or engage in a round of morning yoga before work; I could find the cure for AIDS through tireless relentless lab work... But oh well, I obviously am not like that. It's not that I dislike mornings, I am just too fond of my pillows.
Anyhow, Thursday found me rising early, in some unfamiliar London suburb, determined to catch the train out to the City for a spot of sightseeing before my flight departs. Actually, a FLECK of sightseeing was more like it. I only have about 3.5 hours in the city before I have to get back to the airport.
I need to strategise. It would be like the Amazing Race.
After I miraculously managed to catch the shuttle to T3, deposited my carry on at the store, bought tickets for the Heathrow Connect which would take me to the city, I found myself walking up the steps of the Underground to the Big Ben. There were these ladies along the sidewalks, trying to pin mistletoe corsages on anyone who would stop for them because its 'Christmas', followed by 'Donate blah blah, for the babies...'. Well lady, I don't know who or where these babies are from, but I do my share through other means, so please shoo and let me take the best picture of the clock tower I freaking woke up at 6:45am to see.
I then took a walk down St. George's St thanks to the pull out map I purchased from the hotel gift shop the previous night. Sometimes I think I might have been a Girl Scout in my past life, singing bonfire songs and selling cookies, cos I am good with directions. But unless Girl Scouts in my past life slept in hotel beds during their campfire thingys instead of tents, and had butlers to start bonfires for them, the chances of me being one would be say, just to be optimistic, next to none. My brisk walk led me down St. James park towards Buckingham Palace, where the changing of the guards ceremony was just beginning. I think Buckingham Palace would look much better topped off with a Dome, like the Vatican. To make it look more, you know, grand.
No princes in sight, I left since I didn't have that much time to watch the entire 30 minute procession. Another brisk walk led me to the Underground where I then went to Oxford Circus, WOW-WEE shopping galore! I focus and head straight to Topshop.
Topshop is kind of like an institution in the U.K, not unlike say, Juicy Couture (eeks, hurts just to say that name) in the U.S.. Pink velour sweatsuits don't make you fashionable. I don't care whether they are expensive or not.
I now understand why women in London and Paris are always considered fashion forward and -wait for it-...chic. The answer is simply - because their stores have fashion forward finds.
Have you ever wondered why Singaporean women, especially the O.L. tend to look like each other? HELLOooo G2000, IORA and the clothing stores that you can find at every heartland mall? To ask the mainstream Singaporean to look interesting while shopping at these places is like asking a hippotamous to lose weight while feeding it donuts. Irrational, and highly impossible. The dots do not connect in this case.
Topshop U.K., however, is like this 3 storey heaven. So much stuff to look at! I repeat, SO much that it hurts your eyes, your heart starts to palpitate, and you become extremely disoriented. Unfortunately, I had a train to catch at Paddington Station at 1:03pm to take me back o the airport, so I had to give Self Fridges a miss.
Back at Paddington I then got hot chocolate which proved that the Brits have even more minute taste buds than the Americans, and I was on my way back to the airport.
Many hours later, I am back in the comforts of my Vegas apartment. Like I said earlier, it's amazing what you can accomplish if you wake up early. Perhaps what is better than waking up early is not sleeping at all, which is me right now, suffering from jet lag. And with air tickets for Singapore booked for next Wednesday, I am well on my way to have jet lag till 2010.
Labels: Europe 2009