My Glorious Story Book Arrival in London

Posted by Jane

So my first day back in London was like a dream. Truly. Even the way there was to die for thanks to the lovely makers of Zoom Airlines. No crying babies. Half full flight, lovely British accented flight attendants and 2 seats all to myself by the window, including chic flicks like The Other Boleyn Girl and 27 Dresses for my viewing pleasure. An exercise regimen while sitting on the plane read “this is optional” on the screen.

When I landed, I had to stand in a horrendous customs line which I mended by listening to music and staring at strange foreigners and their families. My interview with the customs officer was short and pleasant and I breezed through currency exchange and the train ticket line. However when I arrived downstairs to purchase a day pass for the city, a snooty British twit almost denied my 20 pound note, saying, ” It’s dyed.” I attempted the blank stare, and when he still persisted I basically told him he had to take it cause it was my only one. He hissed a bit, but finally relented.

Once I met my friend Carla after dragging my 70 pound suitcase on an off buses and down long streets, we went to her lovely flat in Stockwell, I cleaned up and ate at Wagamama in Covent Garden. Then we walked to Waterloo by bridge where the lovely view of Big Ben, Parliament and the London eye off the Thames reminded me of why I moved back. I felt incredibly lucky.

Carla and I also began talking about our future production company over coffee, then proceeded to meet her hot Chinese lesbian friend Phoebe at the Hayward Gallery. We were hoping to get into the art show “Psycho Buildings” but unfortunately, being only 40 pence a piece, it was sold out. But we found our own entertainment right outside by hopping in and out of timed fountains (in the windy rain) which found us soaked but incredibly gitty.

I then made a joke about a guy, Grey, that I use to be hopeless for when I first lived in London (who I guess I’m still not over) and mused at how funny it would be if he caught me jumping fountains when he didn’t even know I was in London again. Well, as (possible) fate would have it, we walked down Waterloo and stopped by the National Theatre for a drink and who did I see at the window? None other than Grey. (And they say London’s a big city) I thought, this doesn’t really happen does it? Apparently it does. Now to be fair, I did know Grey worked there at some point, but he later told me he was fired. I was also a bit nostalgic of the place since it was somewhere we went together often (with his girlfriend’s money) (yeah…I know how that sounds) so when I saw him there, first reaction was shock, but second was…typical. I wanted a romantic re-introduction however, so didn’t go say hello, and instead waited for him to “magically run into me.” The place wasn’t that big, and he had to have a break sometime right? But, unfortunately my brush with fate wasn’t as kind as I’d hoped.

Carla, Phoebe and I did however catch a free concert inside the National over drinks and watched old couples tango dance which was strangely arousing. We also had a fascinating conversation about lesbians, which I also found not so strangely arousing. I was beginning to have a little crushy crush on Phoebe. So I began to flirt a bit and she invited me to her picnic in Richmond Park on Sunday. However, only later on the tube ride home did I learn of Carla’s repressed feelings for her. So I guess,chicks before chicks? Ah hell.

I definitely welcomed myself to London in style. Am now still trying to figure out how to creep up on Grey without it being actually creepy….hmm….

~ by Jane on July 13, 2008.