29 June 2007

If only I'd known...

Today was a day in which I was reminded how important it is to be open to the unexpected...and to have a camera! I spent most of the day working and at the end of my work day, all I knew was that I didn't want to go home yet. So I climbed on the tube for my usual journey home, still trying to decide which stop to get off at and wander. Turns out...I didn't even need to think about it. Ten minutes into my journey, the train driver got on the loudspeaker announcing that due to a faulty train in North Greenwich, the train would be terminating at Green Park. And it was decided...I would get off at Green Park...and wander.

For those of you familiar with London, Green Park is basically right in the middle of the city. It's bordered by Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Picadilly Circus and St. James Park. My initial thought was to just sit on the grass and read to enjoy the remaining bits of daylight. It wasn't until I plopped myself down that it occurred to me it had been raining earlier today...a wet butt reminded me of that. No biggie...wrapped my shirt around my waist and continued walking.

I should point out that the reason you're getting this little tale is because I DIDN'T have my camera today. And so I'm going to try to be a verbal camera supplemented by google pictures (thank goodness!) and fuzzy cell phone pictures. But I had to share!

Okay...so I was walking. I wandered around Buckingham Palace. Nothing unusual there except the funny way the guards walk...which they have to do so actually very...usual. In St. James was where I first wished I had my camera. There is a little lake/pond thing that weaves its way through the whole park which means lots of ducks, pigeons, swans and geese. But I saw some geese I'd never seen before that have this really cool pattern on the back of their head. Turns out they're called bar headed geese...totally uncreative...but they're pretty. Here's a google pic of them:



Then, a bit further down the pond, there were three pelicans that appeared to be ready to hunker down and sleep for the evening. In the middle of the path! If you've seen a pelican up close...you know they're big dudes. So...big dude birds...little path...photo-op. (In my head..."What was I thinking? I need to have my camera surgically attached!") So...google photos to the rescue:




Later, as I was walking near the London Eye where all the human statues are, I saw one I hadn't seen yet. A guy who looked like a bobby up top (police guy) and a ballerina on the bottom. Don't ask me why...didn't make sense...but funny nonetheless. Google images was stumped on this one.

The best photo op - rather video op - I discovered rounding a curve along the Thames. I came upon a bunch of people looking over the railing and music with musicians I couldn't locate. I walked to the railing and peeked over...and there were 5 guys...3 sitting on a sofa made of sand playing music...and 2 dressed like pirates carving more amazing things out of sand. They had already carved a sofa, coffee table, skull head (cause they're pirates of course) and treasure chest and were working on an octopus and something yet to be identified. It was really stinkin' cool. They had a little bulls eye laid out too for people to toss coins down...which I did of course cause they had mad skillz. The only pictures I got were with my cell phone though so you'll have to imagine it through the fuzz.





At the end of my day, I was walking home from the tube station and New Cross was all aglow with the sunset. Everything looked like it was lit with gold from the inside out and the sky was amazing shades of purple and blue. I think even if I'd had my camera it wouldn't have done it justice. I don't think I've ever seen new cross look so pretty.

So there you go. A few hours out of my day and a big lesson learned. The lesson...you never know what experiences or moments will catch you off guard, make you smile and have you wishing there were someone with you to see it. When all else fails though...google images, adjectives and blogs to the rescue.

Goodnight :)

3 comments:

~L said...

Hey Heather! Great blog! I love reading it, seeing the pictures and hearing about your adventures! and hey, also getting to know you better! If only I had my camera with me all the time but then again i've already go sooo many pictures on my computer it's getting low on space!! Talk to you soon, it seems like you are having a great time there!!

Lyndy

Anonymous said...

I'm having fun picturing you with all those birds... did Italy cure you of your bird freakiness? haha.
Sounds like you had one good evening :)

Much love,
Jen

Anonymous said...

Hi,
So I wish I was in London or Italy! Its like I am reading a wonderful novel about a girl in London just exploring. For some reason it kinda reminds me of Amelie. I wish I could just jump on the subway (tube) after work and explore a great city. Sounds like you have adjusted just fine! Which is great and I am glad everything is going well.

Your old friend,
Lacey