So, I've been told by someone that I need to post more often. And as you all know, I ALWAYS do as I'm told! So...
The week is going well, but busy. I have a lot to get done before I leave on Thursday morning for Canada. Besides getting the office sorted out and showing Will how to do everything, I need to get myself sorted out and packed and some gifts purchased.
Lately I've been having these strange dreams that I'm getting ready to move to London, or I was planning to move to London and then things changed and I wasn't going after all. And then I wake up, and I'm in London!! It's very surreal!
My office is just down the street from Picadilly Circus, so one night after work, I decided to take a walk down there. What a circus - it was nuts. I decided if any of you come and visit and you want to go there, you're on your own! I don't need to go there again. Sorry!
I'm also only a block from Green Park, which is the park that Buckingham Palace is on the edge of, as well as Clarence house, the former residence of the late Queen Mum, and St. James Palace. The park is very nice and I like walking through it when I have time and the weather is decent.
The crocuses were out in the park - I love crocuses. They herald the advent of spring, and mom and I always tell each other when we see the first crocuses of the year. These were domestic and very different than the ones on the hillside in Linden, but beautiful none the less. They are planted randomly in the grass throughout the park.
On the weekend, there were a ton of tourists, and it felt special that I actually lived there. It's an interesting feeling to live in such a huge tourist destination. I felt a little sorry for the tourists, just like a sometimes feel sorry for myself as a tourist. When you are visiting somewhere, you have limited time to see everything and you want to drink it all in so you can remember it later. As a resident, I feel almost proprietary. I can go down there anytime I want and enjoy the beauty of the park, or the palace or shop on Oxford Street or go to Covent Garden, etc. I'm having fun living here! But Alberta is my home, and always will be.
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone out in Alberta!
2 comments:
I know exactly what you mean about the proprietary feelings about living in London. I loved having my favourite shop for fish & chips, my favourite place for buying fresh mangoes, my favourite coffee shop (no Starbucks on every corner in those days!), favourite curry place, favourite local park to walk on a drizzly misty day...it was MY city and I could do anything I wanted. I got the touristy stuff out of my system fast when I first arrived (thou shalt do The Tower and all...), and then did the stuff / hung out at the places / whatever, that the locals, my friends, did. What a difference, and I loved it. I always felt totally at home there, only scared for my safety once, the city (lower case) is like no other.
And no offense, since I love Alberta too, but I would FAR rather shop on Oxford Street than Chinook Centre any day LOL. And Oxford Circus will ever remain my all-time favourite place in the world to people-watch, I don't like Piccadilly either. Last time we were in London my hubby and I bought a sarnie supper and stood at one of the railings on the circus and just watched. No talking, just watching. Highly educational. You gotta wonder sometimes where these people come from...
Have fun on your trip back to Calgary. Maybe you'll get to catch some lax while you're back. Nice win over the Mammoth last weekend. Also, what are your thoughts on getting Dowling back.
Drop me an e-mail when you get a chance.
Tom
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