When people ask the kids what sights they saw in London, they might have a short list. We walked a ton today, trolled around the city via the subway and the double decker buses, but we didn't once see any specific tourist attractions. At all.
Covent Market area, West Minister area (but not the Abbey), we went back to Portobello road (Lucia saw a purse she couldn't live without and then couldn't find it again.). I am sure I"m missing neighborhoods that we walked thru, but it was another 10'ish mile walking day so we covered a lot of ground. We also strolled thru the Strand which is insane, busy, but there were so many plays and shows advertised everywhere--there are SO many I wanted to see. Tomorrow night we go to Phantom of the Opera which we thought was a good classic for the kids to see, and it has run for 33 years in her Majesty's Theater (but ends this year). Apparently it's the second longest running musical (only Les Miserable beats it out).
We had everyone with us today because Ava arrived at 8:00 a.m. and having the unit back together was both good, and more work. Having "only" three kids the last four days, made me realize how hard four is.
London is a city that you could spend months in, and still not totally explore all the cool neighborhoods. We haven't seen any sky scrapers in the areas we're in, so it feels big, but not as big as the size suggests. When you are in the little neighborhoods they are like mini-cities/towns unto themselves and you forget there is the greater city at large. The houses are darling, all lined up next to each other SF style. We walked by George Orwell's house (per the plaque), and I snapped a pic. That was someplace between Notting Hill and Chelsea.
We ate lunch at Wahlburger. About 20 minutes in I realized from the heavily decorated movie poster walls, that this was Mark Wahlberg (and brother's) restaurant. Not the reason we went, but the burgers were good.
We took the subway everywhere, and marveled at the straight deep dive drop of the sub-escalators. Romeo was one goofing-off-moment from taking a deadly tumble.
This was just our typical "new city exploration" day where we eat and drink our way thru neighborhoods slowly, just soaking it all in. I know there are grand things to see, but my first and favorite thing to do in any city is just to vibe in on the cool neighborhoods and markets, eat a lot of the foods, sit in café and talk to people.
Can't believe we only have two days left, seems almost impossible. Our time was quick, and slow at the same time. I'm a little excited to be home, and a little more sad to be leaving. I miss yoga, and my friends (and crazy family), and eating my high maintenance foods (I just don't feel the same after 6 weeks of "kinda" eating o.k.). I miss my own bed and own pillow. I even miss our big hairy dog a little. I miss garbage disposals (there are none in Europe), and I really, REALLY miss my big, and super awesome washer/dryer.
I'll miss being on our adventure. I'll miss forced family time. I'll miss the stimulus that demands you, "be here now." I'll miss seeing the world in a new way every day. I'll miss watching the kids see the world in a new way every day. I'll miss the possibility of travel, and the moments that change how you see everything.
I won't miss lugging my suitcase up a gazillion flights of stairs.
Signed, ME {lv}
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