We then proceeded to some benches where I found an outlet and Margaret found a nap. So, over the coarse of the next 3 hours, I worked on some blobs, a few plans, and many emails. All in all, I thought I was very productive using these wee morning hours.
Anyway, 4 rolled around and we checked in without issue. Then, while waiting for another hour or so, we had our final meal. It was cute because we found a place serving chicken curry and rice... the very same meal we had upon arriving in Tokyo. Much to my surprise I found something I had completely forgotten about. Perhaps my parents remember this from our rare trip to Abis, but, this shop had those sodas in the glass bottles that are sealed with a marble. Then you jam the marble into the bottle to open it. I always had fun with those... so despite the early hour, I had a soda.
The plain ride from Tokyo to London is approximately 12 hours, and we gain 8 hours from timezones. So, we departed at about 6 am, and landing on time, we arrived a bit after 10 am. The flight was great. I had trouble sleeping on it much, despite being tired, but even that had its perks. I slept the first 2 hours, sadly missing breakfast. I then woke up for some spectacular views of northern Russia. With not a cloud in the sky I could just look out over fields of snowcovered mountains and iced rivers. It was gorgeous. Then I did some note taking, watched some movies, had a snack lunch and a chicken dinner... slept a bit more... all in all the smoothest flight I've had in a very long time. I don't remember any turbulence more than a vibration.
In the airport, immigration and customs went smoothly. We then had some time to kill, so we went to a cafe. I had coffee and a bacon, sausage, Brie panini. It was the most western thing I've eaten in a long time. Then I found a mad of the tube (the subway...) and having thought I'd figured out what I needed I thought I'd confirm. So I asked at the help window... and the answer came in english. I felt like I was cheating... Then, the airport had a grocery store with some reasonable looking prices. So I bought food for the next 3 days of breakfast and dinners.
We then took the tube to head to Westminster and the flat. This is where things started to get weird. I believe London was my first international trip when I was 7, and my only memory was of the Peter Pan statue in Hyde Park. But the more I saw and did the more the memories came back. I remember standing next to one of the tiled 'underground' paintings in the subway for a picture for example. Anyway, we got to our station and walked towards the flat (a short walk). Passing Hyde Park I remembered the building I sat in to play chess with my grandfather. Arriving at the flat I recognized it from the street. Inside I remember sleeping on this couch, in this room, having nightmares about Dante's Peak (which I saw on the airplane my first time coming). It has been odd to have those all come back.
Anyway, we called and met up with Lula, the flat's caretaker, and she let us in and gave us a key. We then got settled, found a grocery store, figured out turning on the hot water, etc... Before long I started dinner. I made burgers with sautéed veggies and wine. I also toasted some pita to make chips for our cheddar and blue. It was quite tastes... I was pleased.
Then fatigue started racing in. So, it was about time to settle in for the night. A few more emails and then all went dark.
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