I don't think I'll bother, just go ahead and put me back on ignore and let iguana_tonante get on with his thread.
London advices
- Thread starter iguana_tonante
- Start date
I don't think I'll bother, just go ahead and put me back on ignore and let iguana_tonante get on with his thread.
These scrums after the whistle aren't necessary. You both got your jabs in with national stereotypes. Let's move on.
Well, it will be difficult to summarize everything, but I'll try.
London was amazing. I knew it was a beautiful city: it was expected. What I didn't suspect was that it is a lively, vibrant, exciting city. It was the first time I visited a truly multi-ethnic and multi-cultural city, and it was wonderful. I stayed in Fulham, which I suppose is as diverse as it can get, and I loved the mixture of cultures. Door-by-door there was an old english pub, a russian jeweler, a turkish kebab vendor, a vietnamese coifeur and an italian cafe. Wow.
Onto the trip itself. The first three day I attended a jujutsu happening, that was the main reason for my stay, where (forgive me if I take the time for gloating) I graduated with my second black belt. Met a lot of wonderful people and got drunk with the 70-years old Japanese headmaster. You can't get more awesome than that in my book.
The other five days were tourist stuff. I visited, in no particular order: the British Museum, the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum (actually just some rooms), and the National Gallery. As you can see, I love museums (especially when they are free!). All were spectacular, but the British wins the cake. I could virtually move there and never get bored. I visited the Tower of London (worth even just for the Crown Jewels) and the Tower Bridge. If I can say that, English people really know how to make the most of their historical sites. We in Italy may learn a thing or two about that. I saw the Mount of the Guard (or actually, did not saw it due to the crowd). Got upstair the Monument and took a lot of pictures from there. Shopped in Harrods and Forbidded Planet (got myself a sonic screwdriver!
). Strolled on the Thameside and around the City (which has the most beautiful and the most ugly buildings I've ever seen -- Lloyd's building, I'm looking at you). Got wasted in Soho around Piccadilly Circus and took the obligatory picture of Westminster and the Big Ben. Oh, and I took the opportunity too see the new Star Trek in original language! 
Things I did not do: see the interior of Westeminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral; take the boat to Greenwich; Tate British and Tate Modern. I deeply regret that, but simply it wasn't enough time. Sometimes I had to sleep!
In the end, it was a marathon of a week, but I enjoyed every minute of it. The day I went home I hit the bed and slept for 14 hours straight. But it was really worth it.
Thanks to all again for listening, it was quite an experience for me! Cheers, me china!
I now know that I'll have to visit London again.
Some of my favourite things about the place are Kew Gardens, sandwiches (and other ethnic foods) and a pub after closing - only ever did the museum thing when there with school, perhaps I should plan to do some of those next time though.
Some of my favourite things about the place are Kew Gardens, sandwiches (and other ethnic foods) and a pub after closing - only ever did the museum thing when there with school, perhaps I should plan to do some of those next time though.
They've tidied it up a little too much, but yeah, it's still cool.
Richard Rogers got a knighthood for its design, just so no-one would ever say that about Lloyds!
(apologies to the writers of Yes, Prime Minister for ripping off their gag)
Curious - what was your pick for the "most beautiful"?
Glad you had a fun time in London!
Iguana_Tonante, it looks like you squeezed in a LOT. I can understand your exhaustion by the end - that sounds like an absolute marathon!
I am so pleased your trip stood up to your expectations, and you were able to have a great time.
I am flattered you remembered my signature, btw.
As for Fulham, that's considered a very posh area, I'm not surprised you liked it. If you come again, I'll let you know more central hotels where you won't need to find a train home after you've gotten pissed in Piccadilly (at about a £100 a night for a good quality 3 star).
And congratulations on your second black belt, that's pretty impressive! If you wore your blackbelt on the way home - no wonder all was smooth sailing.
I am so pleased your trip stood up to your expectations, and you were able to have a great time.
I am flattered you remembered my signature, btw.
As for Fulham, that's considered a very posh area, I'm not surprised you liked it. If you come again, I'll let you know more central hotels where you won't need to find a train home after you've gotten pissed in Piccadilly (at about a £100 a night for a good quality 3 star).
And congratulations on your second black belt, that's pretty impressive! If you wore your blackbelt on the way home - no wonder all was smooth sailing.
My favourite subject! Where did you go out to?
Agreed with ethnic food. I had some great sushi and thai food. Too bad I'm not too fond of indian food, because I'm sure it would be awesome. And there are sure lots of... interesting sandwiches out there!
Another think I did not have time to visit were the parks. I'm sure they are very special places. Next time!
Thank you. We aim to please.I'm glad that you had a good time. It's interesting seeing our own country from another perspective. Thanks for being so flattering. Sounds like you enjoyed your visit to London as much as I have enjoyed my visits to Italy's beautiful cities.
Thanks! Well, I'm a bit ashamed of that, but I must confess I was fascinated by the Gherkin. It's so unusual and space rocket-y. I'm also aware of the phallic overtones, but hey, whatchacannado?
About Lloyd's, my fist thought was "what the hell is an oil refinery doing in central London?"
The pleasure is mine, dear.I am so pleased your trip stood up to your expectations, and you were able to have a great time.
I am flattered you remembered my signature, btw.
I choose Fulham because it was near the place where we had the happening and at the same time not too far from the Tube. It was a good compromise. I stayed at one of the Travelodge hotels and paid about £50 a nigh for a double room. It was reeeeally basic, but it was tidy and clean, and that's the only thing I ask for. MMV.As for Fulham, that's considered a very posh area, I'm not surprised you liked it. If you come again, I'll let you know more central hotels where you won't need to find a train home after you've gotten pissed in Piccadilly (at about a £100 a night for a good quality 3 star).
Why, thank you...And congratulations on your second black belt, that's pretty impressive! If you wore your blackbelt on the way home - no wonder all was smooth sailing.
Nah, actually even if I didn't know the city I always felt quite safe going around, even at night. I'm more worried here in Milan sometimes... 
Honest answer? I have no idea! It was a pub. It had beer. Those were the only thing I cared about. And everything becomes quite fuzzy after the second pint... (yeah, I know, I'm a poor beer drinker
)
Sounds like a damned good deal. Even factoring in your train travel there and back, you were still saving yourself about £45 a day by staying out of city hotels. Very shrewd.
The great thing about the Centre Pompidou it's when you're on its roof, you have a great panorama without the Centre itself. It's one of the ugliest thing they ever build in Paris.
Sorry to be off topic, London is nearly as great as paris
Same architect and same rough era as Lloyds, so the similarities aren't surprising!
Same architect and same rough era as Lloyds, so the similarities aren't surprising!
Indeed.
What I don't understand, though, is why Londoners accept the constant intrusions of the prince, his insistent dragging Britain back into the dark ages, what will it take to 'de-throne' him? -a thatched Houses of Parliament proposal?
Do I seem as on a rant? sorry, I just think that man has no common sense!
I'll take that as good advice on what to do with our own "family" once we get them into the real world.
And of course, neither are near as cool as Rome.
Similar threads
