Home safe and sound

I arrived back home safe and sound, but incredibly tired. I cannot even begin to describe just how jet-lagged I am. After working London hours, but staying up until midnight for US coverage it is going to be a long week, especially since I am back in the office right away.

I guess the best way to close out my journey, is too share a few tips/observations.

- The weather is completely unpredictable. When I arrived it was 80F and sunny, during that time, it dropped down to 60 and back up to 70 with spots of rain. People may laugh about how much I pack but I learned the hard way last summer to always be prepared.

- It's just damp and the water is hard = wrecks havoc on your hair. The water is brutal on hair and skin, it's good to have a lot of products with you to be prepared for anything. Each time in London, I just assume my hair will look mostly like crap. I think this explains why so many girls in London wear their hair up on clips.

- The public transport system is excellent and much more efficient than taking taxis. However, I do advise against taking the tube during rush hour. It is not air conditioned and ventilation is pretty bad. Being short runs you the risk of being at the armpit of someone who believes personal hygiene isn't important. This is where my scented sandalwood fan came in handy. They are also doing a significant amount of work on the stations so always check for closures. It's good to buy an Oyster card if you are going to be there for awhile.

- Having a map is important - even Londoners have/use them. The streets aren't on a grid system like NY or Chicago, and sometimes they change name for no clear reason and not all streets are labeled. Although in London proper, it's pretty easy to find the street - it's posted on the side of the building, not on a pole. Once you get the hang of it, it is really easy to find your way around, and it's not a bad city to get a little lost in because there are tons of charming shops and pubs in the most unassuming spots. (Just don't get lost in the bad neighborhoods).

- Black cabs. In order to drive a cab, the driver has to pass a test proving they know the streets of London. I'd often get in not knowing the exact address, or just starting with the name of the place and they'd get be there and know exactly what I am talking about. You typically tell them where you are going before you get in the cab and pay after you get out. They lock the doors while you are in the taxi and control when the doors are unlocked. I have never encountered an unfriendly driver either. It's not typical to tip, but I think it's a good idea and they always appreciate it and say thanks. Try getting that in the US.

- Oxford Street is incredibly annoying, particularly on the weekends. When in London, you have to go to TopShop, their flagship store is right at Oxford Circus. Other than that, stay far away.

- I am sorry to my English friends, but the fashion sense of girls in London - the streets of London mostly - is absolutely terrible. I like leggings and belts but it's done to a ridiculous excess here. Even W noticed this. And sheer tights/leggings with shorts and ballerina flats...never a good look. The men on the other hand, dress beautifully. The woman from my office/sig other of co-workers don't fit into this category, and my English friends agreed with my observation on this phenonmenon.

- Go to the markets or museums early or you will be in the middle of crowds and not appreciate what you are seeing. Some of the museums are open late during the week.

- Pedestrians don't seem to have any rights. It's important to look down and know which way you are supposed to look for traffic (the streets say "look left" or "look right") and cabs/cars have no concern in honking at you.

- Definitely go to a pub, but find one that is off the beaten path or gets a good reference on-line. Like a bar in the US, there are good ones and bad ones, but the good ones are wonderful and worth a visit. They have some GREAT food and visiting one with historical significance is the way to go. People go to pubs and stand around outside on the sidewalk drinking. After work, you see tons of people gathering outside until about 10 or sometimes 11. I think as long as you are in direct vicinity of the pub, you can stand outside with a drink. And get a meat pie or fish in chips - when in Rome....BTW - you can buy fish and chips for takeway - it's not wrapped in newspaper anymore because it was found that the ink from the newsprint could be poisonous.

- There aren't very many "lounges". It's either a restaurant with a bar, a club or a pub. Many of the clubs have memberships which don't necessarily mean too much other than VIP priority in line and cover charges in general are pretty steep. There are a ton of "private clubs" and I think the fee is anywhere from 2500 - 10ooo BP, depending on the stature. And the doorman at the clubs have a ton of power on whether or not you will get in - sort of like the US I suppose. They'd do well with more lounges IMO.

- I mentioned this before, but it's worth mentioning again. July/August is packed with visitors from the Middle East because they are escaping the heat. So you will see tons of expensive cars, etc. At Harrods, the majority are from the Middle East - all the mannequins have dark hair/dark eyes which is obviously meant to appeal to their core shopping audience.

- When you go to dinner, they will inform you that they will need the table back in 2 hours. This happens everywhere you go. And the service in restaurants/bars is not terribly attentive. They don't make a lot of money, grat is included in the bill at 12% and apparently the government is thinking about taking the practice of tipping away altogether. And you cannot go to London without dining in one of the many Indian restaurants - the best I have ever had an many say it's better than what you'd get in India.

- A great way to see the sites is to take a taxi on the Thames, or buy yourself a day pass and you can stop on an off a few ports. I took a water taxi last year from Greenwhich to Waterloo at night and it was beautiful - the Tower Bridge is probably one of my favorite sites. You can also do the Tate to Take water taxi (Tate Modern to Tate Britain).

- London can be pretty dead on Sundays - I guess there is a law in place about markets, etc., remaining closed on Sunday to encourage people to stay home with their families. This can be annoying if you need a sundry item.

- Edward II ruled in the early 1300s. His lover, Piers Gaveston and he were murdered allegedly in captivity by having a sword or a poker inserted where the sun didn't shine as a statement against Edward's choice of partner. Oxford University has a group called the "Piers Gaveston Society" comprised of members who engage in "debaucherous sexual acts" and is an invitation only club. It was described to me as similar to the scene from Eyes Wide Shut. Interesting.

- Tarty girls are called "Slappers", this has now become my favorite word. If you see a girl in a ho dress smoking, then she is definitely a slapper.

- There is a ton of construction going on in London, it's kind of a bummer because the cranes ruin the view when looking at Parliament and Big Ben. By the way, Big Ben is not the name of the tower or clock, but actually the bell. The tower is technically called St. Stephen's tower.

- While the architecture, museums, shows, etc., are certainly a draw, you cannot go to London without going to one of the many parks. They do a great job keeping the landscape up, hardly any garbage and very vew homeless people.

London is a wonderful place to visit once you get past how bad our dollar is (just plan on paying twice as much for everything). I am lucky to have made so many friends there and cannot wait to return very soon.