In May of 1990 I spent a week in London, my first of many visits here. I was a naive American tourist, I rented a car at Gatwick and drove into London on that trip. I still laugh at how silly that was. London was kind of love at first sight, it is huge, it is busy, dirty, noisy, smelly, and ancient. There is a pub down the street from the hotel that has been in operation since 1669. And in this city, that is not old. New York thought it was the worlds melting pot, London says "hold my beer" on that thought. In part because of colonialism and but more so, as a result of being an incredible place to be, to live, to love, to eat and drink, London is a melange of people from all corners of the world. Its growling underground train system is as tangled as tree roots, and moves a mind boggling 5-million people around the city, EVERY DAY. My 20 year old Oyster card, the prepaid tap and go key to the cities transportation system, never leaves my travel go-bag, and has never failed to work, even when as now it has been five years between forays into the City. I feel immediately at home here, and at the same time I feel lost. I love this city. As Samuel Johnson said only a year after the United States declared it's independence, "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.”
There is one thing that is often overlooked in all of this, and that is scheduling days to do nothing. To do whatever we feel like doing that day. Sweet Bear will take those days, by feeling tired or unwell and staying in bed most of the day. I tend to press on. And I sometimes regret it.
When the two of us were planning our first trip to England and Wales together, we researched places that would be exciting to see, planned a detailed itinerary. We sent the itinerary to friends who live in London. Duncan responded with, "this looks like the forced march through England, cut it at least in half or you will be exhausted." He was so right. I still have not seen Cheddar Gorge, but we did have time to enjoy what we did see on that trip.
Planning for your adventures, should include time with nothing planned.
We are in London today, we will see Duncan and Stephen while we are here.
Shame you weren't in London on Sunday! You and Sweet Bear could have run The London Marathon and I would have applauded as you ran by in your lime green lycra running outfit..."Go David! You can do it!"
ReplyDeleteYou're right about downtime.
Back in my gym bunny days, I finished two half-marathons. That was enough long distance running for my lifetime. It would have been fun to say Hi to you. Line green lycra, in my day that would have been a great look, I loved running in lycra.
ReplyDeleteWe plan almost nothing in advance when we travel except those places we want to go and know we can’t get in without early reservations. We decide what we’ll do the night before or the morning of and leave mostly unscheduled time which tends to get filled. London IS an amazing city.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few things I have not seen because I didn't book ahead.
DeleteLondon is an amazing city, as is New York. They are quite different with layouts and buildings, but the street vibe feels so similar. You walk down a street in both cities and you know you are passing by the worst and best people. Sometimes it goes a bit wrong in both cities, but by sheer numbers, the odds of your survival in both are really on your side.
ReplyDeleteLondon is much older than New York, and it shows in the street layout.
DeleteYou know, you could move to London! If it makes you that happy why not? Then I have yet another reason to visit a beautiful country.
ReplyDeleteIt is a bit expensive here.
DeleteI always like a Do Nothing day when on vacation. It doesn't mean doing nothing, it just means do whatever crosses your mind.
ReplyDeleteWe need to do more of that
DeleteI learned not to travel with anyone who has the "forced march" mentality! Holidays should be fun, not an endurance test.
ReplyDeleteMy feet are tired.
DeleteI haven't been to London and I think I would love it as much as I love New York City.
ReplyDeleteYou should come here.
Delete"I feel immediately at home here", a perfect description of how I too feel. When I land in London, it's like coming home. I know how to get into the city and once I'm there, I know where to go. My very first activity is usually a walk in the area I'm staying. I also loved your comment about the Oyster Card. I still have mine from 10 years ago and it also still works.
ReplyDeleteChicago and San Francisco cards expire, usually a month before I return.
DeleteThat's good advice for any vacation - not planning every minute.
ReplyDeleteDo less, enjoy more.
DeleteWe did a fast month touring Europe back in '85. We did change our itinerary to spend an extra day here and there but we could have used a year or more!
ReplyDeleteI agree we could spend months and not take it all in
DeleteI think that wise to schedule days of down time, otherwise it is rushing all the while. good for you !
ReplyDelete