London - Summer, 2022

A week in London is a week of joy. We had the time of our life enjoying the capital of England and all that it has to offer. This was our first time back since the pandemic and it was well worth the wait.

London is at once an enormous metropolitan city and also an intimate collection of neighborhoods. One is struck by its international breath and its local traditions. We experienced both on our way into the city from Heathrow airport. We took a black taxi whose driver was friendly and wise. Along the way we were stopped by an oncoming caravan of flashing lights. Our driver noted that if the vehicles following the oncoming motorcycles outriders were Land Rovers it would most likely be the Queen. Indeed, as we waited for the caravan to pass there sitting quite composed in the back seat of the second vehicle was her majesty herself, Queen Elizabeth! What a welcome to London.

Some years ago we found a flat in the Covent Garden neighborhood that sits above a pedestrian-only street. We were fortunate that we were able to let this apartment again and return to our cherished London roost. After settling in, we struck out to visit our favorite haunts. But first we needed to slake our thirst so we popped into a nearby pub and ordered a couple of pints and enjoyed the afternoon air. 

Thus restored we ambled about and noted that the shops and stores were bustling with energy and flair. One of the things we like best about England/London are the accents of the Brits. It feels as if you are on a movie set and encountering actors speaking their lines! Whether it is a shop keeper, a waitstaff, or Bobby on their beat, everyone has a lilt to their speech that tickles the ear. 

One of our favorite spots in the Covent Garden neighborhood is called ‘The Seven Dials’. This is a place where seven streets all meet together like the axles on a wheel. In the middle is a sundial atop a tall pillar. Radiating out from this center are streets that are occupied with some of the best to be had in London. We get our coffee for the week at Monmouth Coffee as well as some of their pastries. Just around the corner is Neal’s Yard cheese shop. Here you can find cheeses from around the British Isles and sourdough loaves to accompany. This shop continues the tradition of washing down the enormous wheels of cheese every night to preserve and protect the flavors within.

With no offense to Broadway, London is the theatre capitol of the world. Every night there are dozens of live performances within walking distance of the nearby area called, West End. You can choose from musicals like Hamilton and Mama Mia, or dramas like The Glass Menagerie. You can also attend comedies like The Importance of Being Earnest or an Agatha Christie mystery. Best of all you can get tickets for day-of-shows with steep discounts at the TKTS booth at nearby Leicester Square. You can see the world’s best actors for less than $50/ticket. Unheard of in New York or Chicago. 

For the week we were in London we saw, Les Miserables, My Fear Lady, Dear Evan Hansen and To Kill a Mockingbird, all at affordable prices! 

There is nothing like live drama. You lose yourself and forget where you are and even who you are. It is magically transcendent and transformative. We pulled out our hankies to dry our tears more than once. And our sides hurt from laughter that came from deep within. And they stimulated our conversations and refections for days to come. Our favorite post show activity is to exit the theatre and find the stage door. There we stand with other fans to meet and thank the actors and musicians who just poured out their souls for the last 2 & 1/2 hours. On the night we saw My Fair Lady, the woman who played Eliza Doolittle thanked us for our appreciation and then took the time to have a one on one conversation with the two of us. She was gracious and generous to tell us about how nervous she is every night to perform and how she prepares for her role. 

There are museums, galleries, monuments and more to take in and learn about the history of London and England. And you don't need a translation to understand the guides or booklets. The city planners and services continue to do a great job in maintaining and preserving the charm and decor of the buildings of the city. One way are the Blue Plaques that adorn important buildings. We had fun standing before the four story building where the Beatles gave their last live performance. This past winter there was a four part series that for the first time showed the live footage of that rooftop performance and the surprised passerby's below. We stood on that same spot and looked up smiling and could almost hear ‘Hey Jude’ cascading down thorough the air. 

At week’s end we checked out of our flat and headed to St. Pancras Station. From there we took the Eurostar to Paris for a long weekend to reconnect with the City of Lights. Traveling by means of the Chunnel was fast, efficient, price-worthy and quite. Highly recommended for travel between these two International capitals.