London Lessons

London Lessons

Today there was sun!  It's the first time we've seen it for more than 30 minutes at a time in seven days.  I am NOT a vampire, I need my daily dose of vitamin D. Plus, it was much warmer riding the big bus which took us all about London.  A much nicer experience than in Paris. 

The overwhelming problem with Europe is that everything is ridiculously close together causing my pictures to be less than mediocre.  But the history lesson was intriguing and seeing it first hand was amazing. So I'll buy postcards and call it good. 

This morning we scored tickets to Matilda for tonight with the help of the hotel concierge. This is a luxury in which I do not typically indulge. Let's face it_i'm frugal to a fault. But we stopped by the desk to ask a number of questions, and Libby inquired.  The concierge was happy to call to the box office to see if there had been a cancellation.  He was able to secure us tickets at a price I was willing to pay.  He absolutely catered to Libby, treating her as if she were the most important young lady in London. It was adorable to see her be so gleeful.  

After a full day of site seeing and toy shopping, we set off for Matilda via a black cab.  This was another indulgence, but as long as I going to have a night of it we might as well do the full British experience. The musical was extraordinary and the young star_superb. I would highly recommend it to anyone. 

As we came out of the theater, there was a steady rain falling. And not a cab to be had. No umbrellas with us. One stubborn teen unwilling to use the tube because we didn't know what stop to use. So, being the sturdy Americans that we are we set off on foot to the hotel_in the cold rain_with no real sense of direction since the black cab drove in circles, I am now convinced. And remember my frustration with the lack of signage? I put on my big girl panties, cursed myself for relying on the teen for the return plan, and put one foot in front of the other until I recognized something. 

Not to worry, I can even put a good face on this set of circumstances. Close your eyes_no wait! then you can't read this_use your imagination to harken back to old England when there were no taxis, black or otherwise, no underground and no double decker buses. A time when the most likely mode of transportation was ones own feet, as one's skirts rustled about one's booted feet as one sloughed through the streets. So, you see, we've just had a long historical walk all_the_way_back_to_our_hotel.  And did I mention it was raining? 

London Lessons:

After the sun shines, there will be rain.  This is true of life as well. 

Space is a commodity I cherish and without which I can go positively mad. 

Mediocre snapshots are more important than perfect postcards.  This is true of life as well. 

Periodically, everyone should indulge in something that makes them happy

Being nice is far better then being Trunchbul.

Wool coats are perfectly sufficient for a long walk in the rain, just ask a sheep. 

There are many ways to reach the same destination, never be so stubborn or frightened that you miss trying something different.  

When faced with a story you don't like, do something to change the ending.