Travel is fun and educational. We like our approach to travel. At times, it is hectic. We do miss things that a tour or planned itinerary would assure.
The singular advantage to us is that it is our successes and failures that make for great memories. In brief moments of time, we live in that country. This occurs most often when riding public transportation. You feel out of place for a short time. Then you realize that locals study the Metro maps in the stations as often as you. It is human nature to want a degree of confidence for reaching your destination.
In the cities, we have visited we have never had a problem. Rush hour is Rush hour. The trains are standing room only. People push. People are polite and impolite. You wait for a less crowded train.
In London, commuters read newspapers or books on phones. Games are popular. You could be anywhere but you are in London, Paris, Rome, Milan. If they cared, the commuters know that you are a visitor, a tourist and a foreigner. What they do not know is that you are also on an adventure.
My great moments are when in Rome and Siena I am asked in Italian for directions. At the Louvre, Betty was twice asked by tourists in guidebook French for directions to the toilet.
On our way from Paris to London, I hold a conversation in French with a gentleman about the rudeness of the lady in front of us. He speaks. I listen and respond with a laugh, a shrug or a nod. I know what he is talking about.
In Siena, while grocery shopping, I get into a discussion with a man about the greatness and follies of women in Italian. The conversation is well beyond my limited vocabulary.
Yes, we miss a few of the great sites. Often, we are not certain what we are looking at. I am happy.
Today is Wednesday in London. Betty and I take the Tube to St. Paul's Cathedral. It is remarkably short trip. The problem with maps is that it difficult to truly estimate distance and time.
The weather is great. It is sunny. The chill has subsided. St. Paul is on my bucket list of sights in London. I think my interest goes back to Saturday afternoons with nothing to do and watching travel shows. When does the desire to travel begin? Saturday afternoons on a cold, wet spring day in the Midwest watching television.
St Paul Cathedral is an impressive structure. During our trip, Betty remembers certain places she visited years ago and it helps. Betty did not visit St Paul's so we are a little apprehensive of what to expect.
There is no crowd. A short line, we purchase our tickets and our self guided tour devices. Christopher Wren built London. Christopher Wren loved churches. Therefore, London has a lot of Churches.
St Paul's Cathedral is his masterpiece. One of the reasons I wanted to see St Paul is the dome. It does not disappoint. I did not climb the dome in Florence. I will climb Wren's dome.
The climb is in three stages. The first is about 259 steps to the inner ring of the dome. You are about thirty five feet from the floor in the Whispering Gallery. This is the most common area for people to climb to the stairway is fairly broad and circular. Not an easy climb, but not difficult. The gallery is famous for auditory quirk - you can whisper facing the wall and a person on the other side can hear the whisper.
If you do not enjoy heights and narrow walking around a ninety foot fall to a marble floor. Sit for a minute. Rest and walk down.
If you are adventurous, climb to the Stone Gallery. You will be 173 feet from that soft landing on the marble floor. The climb is another 120 steps. This time the stairway is narrow and a twisting spiral.
There is an outside catwalk around the dome. The view is fantastic today. The view is blue sky and a few clouds. Even with a slight breeze at 173 feet, it is windy and I do not like heights. As you lean over the fence which is about chest high, you visualize losing your grip on the cell phone while taking that once in a lifetime photo.
Courage. There is one more to climb. The Golden Gallery is the smallest of the galleries and runs around the outside of the dome. You are 280 feet above London. You climb 160 steps. The stairway is metal nd very narrow. You cannot fall. But, the possibility does flash before you.
An advantage of this climb is that you see the bones of the dome. Layers of red brick have been laid ever so slightly with a lean inwards. It is impressive and in an industrial artistic way - beautiful. It is marvelous.
The view is more breath taking. It is a 360 degree view of London. As with the view from the Eiffel Tower, you understand the grandness and size of these cities. You also understand that you are looking various cities within a cities. As a tourist, you see and travel so much, but it is the "tourist" area. It is the historical section. Same is true with all travel. Visit Chicago and stay downtown. You will feel that you have been to Chicago. But, you miss the neighborhoods which are the identity of the city - even now.
I circled the catwalk quickly. Betty is in the church waiting for me. She is the smart one.
As I walk around the Cathedral, I find a marble edifice to General Cornwallis. I note that the English like the French never lost a battle. They just did not win. There is no mention of his surrender at Yorktown. Apparently, Cornwallis was quite the guy in India.
Like Westminster Abbey, the floor space of the Cathedral is occupied by these marble remembrances to generals, admirals and armies. The basement of the Cathedral has its own collection of burial tombs. John Donne, Christopher Wren, Horatio Nelson and Duke of Wellington are in the basement.
As I met Betty to leave the choir is practicing. The stairs in front of the Cathedral are full of young people. It is a beautiful afternoon to meet your friends. The front of the Cathedral is definitely Baroque.
After a coffee, we are on the hunt for the "Old Bailey" of English justice. We find the street and we find a building. It does not look anything like Betty remembers. Forty years ago, Betty traveled England, France and Spain by herself. In England, she attended a trial with the white wigs and dockets. Why not, again.
Unfortunately, we find out later that there are trials here and it is the "Old Bailey", but not the court she attended. As we walk around the area, several police cars pull up and efficiently block the street at both ends of the block.
These are not bobbies. Actually, I can only remember seeing a few "bobbie" in the two weeks in England. We saw police. The majority of the police were armed. They were very well armed.
The view is more breath taking. It is a 360 degree view of London. As with the view from the Eiffel Tower, you understand the grandness and size of these cities. You also understand that you are looking various cities within a cities. As a tourist, you see and travel so much, but it is the "tourist" area. It is the historical section. Same is true with all travel. Visit Chicago and stay downtown. You will feel that you have been to Chicago. But, you miss the neighborhoods which are the identity of the city - even now.
It is rush hour. We use public transportation a great deal so the Tube will be crowded. We stop at Jamie's Wine Bar for a glass of wine. In Italy, we often stopped for a drink at the end of the day. In London, the weather has curtailed that enjoyment.
There are two small groups in the bar. It is early. One group appears to be attorneys who are doing a post mortem on that day's activities. The other group is two older men impressing their two younger female subordinates with their importance. The women seem to be impressed. The women are working very hard to be impressed. All four press their agenda with alcohol as the grease and the excuse. It will be long night.
We finish our glasses of wine. We find the station. Traffic is intense. And, there are bicycles riders. Their skill and courage is mind blowing. The underground is crowded. People still stop and check the signs. With experience, Betty and I move quickly. It is simple. Know where you want to go. For us, it is the District or Circle Lines. As long as we are on the right platform - the right direction - we will get home.
We stop at the Waitrose Supermarket next the Gloucester Station. English grocery stores are the same as you experience in Europe. The stores are efficient. Selection is specific. Quantity is adequate. The stores rely heavily on prepared foods. There is not a lot of produce and meats. Those are purchased at specific "old fashioned" green grocery and butcher. As in Paris, the food is tasty, if somewhat uniform.
I go for the curry dish which is in a very large flat pan. It is vegetable. Definitely, it is a curry dish. I would try something different next time. But, for carry back to the hotel room for dinner on the bed watching television, it is great. I am in London. It was a beautiful day. I am very lucky.
Tomorrow, Greenwich.
If you do not enjoy heights and narrow walking around a ninety foot fall to a marble floor. Sit for a minute. Rest and walk down.
If you are adventurous, climb to the Stone Gallery. You will be 173 feet from that soft landing on the marble floor. The climb is another 120 steps. This time the stairway is narrow and a twisting spiral.
There is an outside catwalk around the dome. The view is fantastic today. The view is blue sky and a few clouds. Even with a slight breeze at 173 feet, it is windy and I do not like heights. As you lean over the fence which is about chest high, you visualize losing your grip on the cell phone while taking that once in a lifetime photo.
Courage. There is one more to climb. The Golden Gallery is the smallest of the galleries and runs around the outside of the dome. You are 280 feet above London. You climb 160 steps. The stairway is metal nd very narrow. You cannot fall. But, the possibility does flash before you.
An advantage of this climb is that you see the bones of the dome. Layers of red brick have been laid ever so slightly with a lean inwards. It is impressive and in an industrial artistic way - beautiful. It is marvelous.
The view is more breath taking. It is a 360 degree view of London. As with the view from the Eiffel Tower, you understand the grandness and size of these cities. You also understand that you are looking various cities within a cities. As a tourist, you see and travel so much, but it is the "tourist" area. It is the historical section. Same is true with all travel. Visit Chicago and stay downtown. You will feel that you have been to Chicago. But, you miss the neighborhoods which are the identity of the city - even now.I circled the catwalk quickly. Betty is in the church waiting for me. She is the smart one.
As I walk around the Cathedral, I find a marble edifice to General Cornwallis. I note that the English like the French never lost a battle. They just did not win. There is no mention of his surrender at Yorktown. Apparently, Cornwallis was quite the guy in India.
Like Westminster Abbey, the floor space of the Cathedral is occupied by these marble remembrances to generals, admirals and armies. The basement of the Cathedral has its own collection of burial tombs. John Donne, Christopher Wren, Horatio Nelson and Duke of Wellington are in the basement.
As I met Betty to leave the choir is practicing. The stairs in front of the Cathedral are full of young people. It is a beautiful afternoon to meet your friends. The front of the Cathedral is definitely Baroque.
After a coffee, we are on the hunt for the "Old Bailey" of English justice. We find the street and we find a building. It does not look anything like Betty remembers. Forty years ago, Betty traveled England, France and Spain by herself. In England, she attended a trial with the white wigs and dockets. Why not, again.
Unfortunately, we find out later that there are trials here and it is the "Old Bailey", but not the court she attended. As we walk around the area, several police cars pull up and efficiently block the street at both ends of the block.
These are not bobbies. Actually, I can only remember seeing a few "bobbie" in the two weeks in England. We saw police. The majority of the police were armed. They were very well armed.
The view is more breath taking. It is a 360 degree view of London. As with the view from the Eiffel Tower, you understand the grandness and size of these cities. You also understand that you are looking various cities within a cities. As a tourist, you see and travel so much, but it is the "tourist" area. It is the historical section. Same is true with all travel. Visit Chicago and stay downtown. You will feel that you have been to Chicago. But, you miss the neighborhoods which are the identity of the city - even now.
It is rush hour. We use public transportation a great deal so the Tube will be crowded. We stop at Jamie's Wine Bar for a glass of wine. In Italy, we often stopped for a drink at the end of the day. In London, the weather has curtailed that enjoyment.
There are two small groups in the bar. It is early. One group appears to be attorneys who are doing a post mortem on that day's activities. The other group is two older men impressing their two younger female subordinates with their importance. The women seem to be impressed. The women are working very hard to be impressed. All four press their agenda with alcohol as the grease and the excuse. It will be long night.
We finish our glasses of wine. We find the station. Traffic is intense. And, there are bicycles riders. Their skill and courage is mind blowing. The underground is crowded. People still stop and check the signs. With experience, Betty and I move quickly. It is simple. Know where you want to go. For us, it is the District or Circle Lines. As long as we are on the right platform - the right direction - we will get home.
We stop at the Waitrose Supermarket next the Gloucester Station. English grocery stores are the same as you experience in Europe. The stores are efficient. Selection is specific. Quantity is adequate. The stores rely heavily on prepared foods. There is not a lot of produce and meats. Those are purchased at specific "old fashioned" green grocery and butcher. As in Paris, the food is tasty, if somewhat uniform.
I go for the curry dish which is in a very large flat pan. It is vegetable. Definitely, it is a curry dish. I would try something different next time. But, for carry back to the hotel room for dinner on the bed watching television, it is great. I am in London. It was a beautiful day. I am very lucky.
Tomorrow, Greenwich.
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