Just Touched Down in LondonTown.doc

Inaugural post.  I christen thee blog -- not with a bottle of champagne, but a cup of strong English brew!

So I made it.  I am currently sitting in the coffee shop underneath my hostel on Borough High Street near London bridge.  The guy sitting next to me is using his free internet connection to play a bloodlust computer game.  So much for centuries of history right outside our doorstep, eh?

For those unawares, my Queen's pals nicknamed me 'the Doctor' one evening after one too many coca-colas and the endearing handle has stuck.  Just to be clear, I have not completed medical school - even though certain friends insist I 'write them a prescription' for their afflictions.  To round out this necessary exposition, I am in Europe to study a Master's in International Performance Research (whatever that may entail!) at the University of Warwick and the University of Amsterdam.  This blog (DWB) will be a record of travels, thoughts, observations, and the like.

I left the bustling and overwhelmingly busy Hamilton International Airport (I wish there was a sarcasm font like bold and italic for that one) this past Tuesday at 11:45pm.  My lovely parents decided that as a graduation gift from the University of Toronto they would book my ticket first class - a luxury I probably won't experience in the near future.  This perk included a free blanket, pillow, eye mask (Deeks would enjoy), and copious offerings of many treats and meals.  The one hitch I encountered was the unfortunate pairing of my flight mate sitting on the aisle to my window seat.  He was huge.  I mean, I think many book first class out of preferability rather than necessity but this was pure necessity.  The extra leg, and stomach, room was a necessary purchase.  I didn't know airlines had seat belt extensions on hand.  Being as polite, and some would say stoic, as I am, this proved difficult when I needed to use the facilities so I avoided an awkward tumbling into the aisle and held it.  After chatting I found out he was in the Canadian military for 20 years and now worked for Canada Post (Hello, Newman.)  He was a very pleasant man, but really couldn't wrap his head around the fact that they offered Master's and even PhD degrees in theatre.  He much preferred a good episode of House and CSI he informed me.  After he departed at Glasgow I enjoyed access to the aisle; I have never been so happy to get inside an airplane bathroom.

Even though our stop over in Glasgow featured two hours of stationary sitting in the airplane, en route to London, the scenery as we landed was breathtaking.  It may just be that the greenery looks more lush or that the sight of all those farms makes me think of homecooked Scottish meals from my grandmother, but I cannot wait to venture back and explore all that Scotland has to offer.  Once we landed in London my travel extravaganza began.  It's a bit complicated to explain but as soon as we landed at Gatwick I needed to shuttle over to Heathrow and check a bag to pickup after my adventures in France with the Hinckster.  Going from London's second busiest airport to the world's busiest airport with three bags was not fun but the mission was accomplished.  I do have to say that Gatwick Customs was the shortest time I've ever spent in a customs line! Considering I have a 20 month student visa I thought there would be a lot of questions, but the guy asked me what I was studying and stamped my passport.

From Heathrow I took my two bags and decided against a 20 pound shuttle to the heart of London and instead opted to take the Tube from the airport to downtown.  Even though the journey was 23 metro stops, which included one transfer, it went off without a hitch.  I got off at London Bridge Station and walked down the street to check into my hostel.  For the 12 pounds I paid for last evening, St. Christopher's London has been everything I could have asked for.  I shared my room with two bubbly girls from New Zealand who were just as green in Europe as I was, one guy who I never met because he slept the whole time, and two girls from Bulgaria who mostly kept to themselves.  Since I was staying the one night, and hadn't slept much on the plane, I decided to make it an early night and save my energy for France.  After getting in at 6:30, I grabbed a cheap dinner and set out on foot to soak in my first London evening.  There is something to be said for seeing landmarks for the first time on your own.  I wandered from my hostel and walked for three hours visiting London Bridge, Tower Bridge, the Thames, the Globe, the Tate, and many side streets in between.  I don't think I've ever been to a more beautiful city, although in the next sixteen months I'm sure that statement will be challenged.  My experience at all these spots was spent merely as a photog but there is the knowledge that I'll have loads of time to come back and explore more properly.  In planning the trip, this night in London really was just a spot on the way to France.

Once I finally fell asleep, the Bulgarian girls came back at one after some partying, I slept soundly until 7am.  I grabbed a glorious shower here, y'all know Doc loves a good shower, and a free breakfast which featured marmalade and black current jam.  I met two really nice girls from France who were excited for me to visit their country.  I confirmed the fear that my French is extremely rusty but hope that it'll improve as I travel.  I am about to check out of the hostel and walk to the Borough Market to snap some shots and grab a cheap lunch.  From there I head to the train station and make my way to France.  I am BEYOND excited to reconnect with Hincksy after seeing her off three weeks ago.  I look forward to enjoying some red wine on Thirsty Street. 

I'm trying to get a hold of this 'blog voice' and format but wish to get back on my feet and explore more of this wonderful city.  As I write, you all back in Canada will be waking up in a few short hours - thanks again for a wonderful sendoff and well wishes.

Doc's Prescription for the day: Forget an apple.  In anticipation of France I prescribe one glass of red wine.