London and Things
I’m becoming increasingly aware that I am generally not using my blog as a means of recording events and commentary. This is typically a way for me to work out my internal monologue when the subject matter passes above some self-defined threshold of interest. Given that the density of events is pretty thick right now, I should probably take a slight turn on this one and start writing things down that are actually happening.
London was a blast. I was totally surprised by Westminster Abbey. I didn’t previously realize exactly how much of a historical hub it is for the country. We ate some of the best food we’ve ever had (painstaking restaurant review-reading and a willingness to pay well above our average nice meal saved us from the normal London gourmet experience).
The Tower of London did not capture my heart, on the other hand. A great piece of history, but it just didn’t have the emotion and raw awesomeness of a church/crypt.
I was also surprised exactly how pretty the Parliament building is.
We walked virtually everywhere (only used the Tube back and forth to the airport). This was a great way to take in the city. Not easy on the feet by any means!
Transportation is expensive. I saw some stat saying (as I recall) Londoners spend 15% or so of their income on transportation. Hotels are pricey unless you’ve been shopping Midtown Manhattan hotels for awhile, in which case they are priced quite fairly. Most everything else is big-city-reasonable, which I wasn’t expecting.
It’s funny that the weather was actually kind of sunny and warm while we were in London, then we get back to Istanbul and I haven’t seen the sun yet!