My direct flight from Seattle to London Heathrow airport took off at 7pm last night and landed at 1pm/13:00 London time. On the nine hours of flight I managed some fitfull neck injuring rest, as I had full day ahead of me before I could "check-in" with my airbnb hosts.
Things I immediately liked about London before leaving the airport.
1. My border guard was a red head and chatty
2. The airport bathroom was clean
3. Super cute drug sniffing dogs
4. Efficiency in the customs process
Things I learned after leaving the airport.
1. The tube has no air conditioning
2. It can be hot and sunny and beautiful
3. There is a lot of traffic, both foot and car (though very few individual vehicles)
I purchased a week long travel pass with an Oyster card and it was double the cost stated by Rick Steve's in his 2015 travel guide but cheaper than two cab rides to the airport – so I am going to milk it and find every reason to ride London public transport. I used it 7 times today in a span of less than 8 hours. Meanwhile, I successfully stored my luggage for 8 hours for 4£. Tip – if ever in London and you have to check out or can't check in the Victoria Coach Station (i.e the bus station conveniently located by the Victoria underground station near Buckingham Palace) can store them for 3-24 hours for that 4£ rate.
My luggage safely stored, it was time to get some real British Pub food into my stomach to counteract the plane food.
Looking for something realatively easy and in the area I chose a Rick Steve's recommended destination the Jugged Hare – it did not disappoint – it as exactly what I expected. Meat pie and a salad.
The texture of the meat pie was very curious though, as the top crust was thick and puffy, and super easy to cut through – and the bottom crust was full-on strong crust holding the shape of the pie and resisting my fork. As I ate I eavesdropped on the conversations going on around me as I sipped my summer lager, and watched the London Summer pop music videos on the courtyard telly.