…in the world will you see something like this?
Picadilly
We spent most of our time just walking to and fro the tourist sights in London. Above is a view of Picadilly, one of the major roads of London that stretches from Hyde Park Corner and Picadilly Circus. Pretty pretty pretty. And if you’re in London, prettiness is common sight.
I am no stranger to traffic and gridlocks. No manileña is. It’s a hard-earned skill.
Picadilly Circus
Above is the Picadilly Circus as taken from a double decker. Popular as a place for meet-ups, Picadilly Circus as per Wiki, is a famous road junction and public space of London’s West End. The fountain is called Shaftesbury Monument Memorial Fountain commemoration to Lord Shaftesbury, a philanthropist. The winged nude statue of an archer on top is by Alfred Gilbert and popularly known as Eros.
If Manila has billboards, London has nude monuments. Interestingly enough, our billboards are literally, and more often, figuratively speaking, dirtier.
London Underground, High Street Kensington Station
The headline is unfortunate. I was so giddy because it still hadn’t sunk in that I was in Europe. IN EUROPE! Thus the poser pic above and the joker-like grin. Also, it feels very surreal to be in the train and see stops such as “Wimbledon” and ”Notting Hill” . *sigh*
Anyway, not five minutes from stepping out of the station and I found myself carrying two tubs of Marks & Spencers chocolate. M&S is expensive in the Philippines and considered high-end. But in London? It’s just 7-eleven.
High Street Kensington is chock-a-bloc with retail brands such as H&M, ecco, Accessorize!, The Body Shop, Muji — all cheaper than in the Philippines since it’s locally made (Europe-based companies). I didn’t have time to shop much because it’s either Big Ben or shopping, but I did swing by H&M (OMG! Some of the dresses there were 6 pounds! Do the math, exchange rate is P67).
I bought another necklace I do not need:
Heavy tribal H&M necklace, 7.99 pounds
Hell, the above would’ve cost me around P2000 to P3000 here. So I bought it, along with bronze eyeshadow for 1.99 pounds (no pic, will just update).
Yes, I love necklaces. I have abnormally small hands and wrists which my dad says are the culprits on why people think I’m thinner than I actually am. Anyway, rings, bracelets, and watches do not look good on me.
Til’ my next post (that is, if somebody is actually reading my blog) *sigh*, hello? hello?). 
After days of walking around with glassy eyes and messy hair, I was finally able to push through with my business trip to London. It sounds very glamorous to do so, more so because I was there for a luxury cruise, but I’m telling you it’s hard to feel glamorous when you’re jetlagged and you’re frantically shepherding people right and left, and yeah, my flight was delayed for three hours. The sheep was without a shepherdess for three hours. Not a pretty picture.
But it doesn’t take away the fact that I was there on a summer solstice so the Powers that be has made it possible for me to tour London at 9PM while I’m wired with coffee and the sun’s still up. Yes, the sun was still up at that time.
Since I don’t think I can make one megapost on my London sojourn. I will have to break it down in several parts.
Anyway, after a three-hour delayed flight, and being told off “Your room is not ready yet” at 2PM at Sheraton Skyline, which happens to be far from the action. Never stay near London Heathrow, it will take you an hour and a half to get to the generic tourist sights.
Starving and sporting eye bags, we were told that the nearest restaurants consists of a McDonald’s and a quaint pub serving fish and chips. Of course we wanted the latter, but the pub was so quaint, we couldn’t find it. So McDonald’s it is. Here’s my favorite shot of the burger, it is not very London-y, but it is pretty.
Not me on the background, but love the photo.
McDonald’s London has very healthy selections, with pita breads and healthy whatevers and the burgers are bigger than what we are used to here. Also, I love the fact that my companion was asked after ordering a soda “gas or without gas?” hahaha. I guess what the guy meant was if we wanted it carbonated, maybe, educate me.
After freshening up and almost a whole day of zero sleep, we hauled ourselves to Picadilly which happened to be a bus and a train ride away. The train was London Underground, which reminded me of LRT but charming. It happens to slow down in the middle of the ride once in a while, and if you find yourself confused, better check how many train routes go through in one rail.
Another thing I love about London Underground are the posters! The Brits seem to love plays, books, and movies and this is prominently displayed in the staircases and hallways etc. Sorry no pic, I was too busy keeping my wits together (no excuse I know). Anyway, just take my word for it. Here’s me at the train, also not London-y, please just watch out for future entries.
The exchange rate is P67.00 to a pound. One way tickets in the train is 4 pounds. Do the math. So don’t ever lose your ticket like I did because that will cost you another 4 pounds. However, if you know it’s going to be a commute-filled day, you can purchase the one day pass for 7 pounds. Not only can you use the pass the whole day, you can also use this in the buses. Neat right?
Anyway, that’s all for now. Have a lovely week.
