Tuesday May 20- Wednesday May 21

Two suitcases, an entourage at the airport, and two flights.

For my first solo international flight, things were pretty low-key. I was excited, of course, but it is hard to feel too excited while on a nine hour flight. And hey, AISLE SEATS the whole way.  I also think I heard the hallelujah chorus when the line for the UK border was short, because I had already made my way through a good half mile of the London Heathrow labyrinth. Another happy event was when my suitcase rolled past me right as I walked up to the conveyor belt.

So far, so good. The currency exchange was a bit more painful, even though the man at the counter was friendly. He gave me advice on transportation, and told me I had a good plan to use the tube. “You look tough, you’ll get there no problem.” Thanks, I think?

One day travel card purchased and a 45 minute tube ride later, and I was at Earls Court. YES! There was no lift (elevator). Sigh.
Thus began my trek all over kingdom come with my huge suitcase, carry on suitcase, and purse to find the hotel. It took me about 10 minutes to make the 5 minute walk due to stopping for directions multiple times, and stopping to rearrange my luggage.

But I made it! I was too tired to rush off to the free walking tour I had planned on, so I set off on my own. I forced myself to walk around until it was almost dark so I could nip jet lag in the bud. It worked out pretty well, since I found a Pret, a really cool old cemetery, and my first TARDIS sighting.

Then all I had to worry about was finding a place to live.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain