En route back to Kenya

So it's back to Kenya for me . . . a few words on the journey here before diving into the actual trip.

Let us start with the question that has been on the back of my mind for the past few years: London- still brilliant? The answer is a definite yes but there are some caveats. For those who don't know me well, I shuld start off by saying that I lived in Lodon for about 6 months back in 1998 (my junior year at University). I studied at King's College London (Strand campus) and lived in Hampstead. My time in London was in a word lovely (as my british friends would say). I've been back a few times since but not in the last few years due to the pathetically weak dollar and the ever increasing worth of the pound. (Sidenote: Obama, please oh please let the dollar return to some semblance of its former self so that Americans may once again enjoy travel and its best counterpart, shopping in foreign lands). So back to London- I was a bit on edge when I went to the ticket counter in JFK and the Virgin Atlantic representative did not know that they flew to Nairobi. As he represents Virgin Atlantic, and thus Britain (to some degree)- I was seriously getting worried about the state of the British mind. It also didn't bode well that it took me an house to get through immigration at Heathrow. Despite the advancements in technology, they were still bottlenecked with only 4 immigration officials to process all non-UK passport holders! There is definitely some need for improvement here but at least the signage and the people in the airport were as helpful as one could hope for.

But alas, once in London, I was relived to find that they are still indeed brilliant. The tube is the seriously remarkable. I got from Heathrow into central London in maybe 40 minutes on the Picadilly line (no Heathrow Express needed). I not only could hear the name of every single stop we approach clearly over the speakers, but also any changes or helpful hints (like, if you need to go to terminal 5, please get out of this train and wait for the xxx train). I have gotten so used to the NYC Subway system (yes, I know-- it's bigger, it runs all night etc etc) that I had forgotten just how well an underground could work. The digital displays showing the time of the next train, the announcements that are actually understandable, and the famous mind the gap . .. should be added to the wonders of the world!

Once in central London, I sadly took myself to Starbucks for a caffeine infusion and even the Starbucks seems better in London. They have the best yogurt parfaits ever with yummy honey and granola but alas, no egg sadwiches. So, after caffeinating myself and reorienting myself (it's been while), I made it to Trafalgar Square where a huge Hare Krishna Festival had taken over. For reference, I think they are following me or I them because just last week I ended up in the middle of the Hare Krishna festival in NYC by Herald Square (where I rarely, if ever go-- had to return shoes to Macy's that I had bought online). I know my parents will laugh at this since they were convinced I would join the Hare Krishnas in College- well, it's not too late. It's like India coming overseas- kindof amazing. The beatiful saris, the chanting, the people with impossibly happy faces all around you- how can you not wonder?? With the little time I had, I managed to take myself away from the festival and check out Covent Garden, Leicester Square, the shops . . . oh the wonder wonderul shops, and the National Gallery. This brings me to my key point- while everything is seemingly outrageous in London, especially with the dollar so weak, the National Gallery, among other amazing things, is free! So, you don't have to feel badly just going in for an hour or less, strolling around and leaving. It brought back so many good memories from when I lived in Lodon and spent some part of almost every day there. Also, I'm pretty sure Pret a Manger is actually cheaper in London than in the States. So, surprisngly my day in London was cheaper than expected-- although I did have the do my requisite Boots Pharmacy shopping. I sadly had to walk away from a dress at Jigsaw. Fashion there is still so much better than in NYC but at those prices (with the exchange rate as it is now), indulging really wasn't an option. So, maybe it's a good thing I didn't spend the day in the airport as I probably would have spent more money at Heathrow and forgotten just how great London truly is. Hopefully, I'll get back soon!