An Afternoon in Westminster

London was lovely. I arrived later than expected after a flight delay and very long wait at the UK border.

The line took over an hour to move though.

A woman who had another flight later that afternoon at a different London airport was frantically trying to move up in the line. I saw her with tears in her eyes ask the two American women in front of me. They dismissed her, and of course I let her in front of me.  Later, she asked another traveler to help out, the woman replied, “Yeah, you can go behind me.”

I hope she made it.

Sadly, I’ve had that awful frantic feeling before. It’s pretty terrible. Now, most of my trip itineraries are built around trying not to have that feeling.

For instance, I needed to go from the Victoria Palace Theater last night to the Victoria Coach Station. Hamilton was supposed to end around 10:30, and my bus left at 11:45. You would think that would be a wide enough window to follow Google Maps’s .4 miles directions.

But, I am pretty familiar with myself now.  I knew my heart would be beating fast and stomach in knots if I didn’t know exactly where to go. It’s Immeasurably easier for me to find the right path  in daylight. At night, alone in an unfamiliar city, I am so wrapped up in staying safe, I can’t concentrate on following directions. So, I spent most of the afternoon previewing my route.

I learned the exact gate my bus was going to leave from. I found out the Shake Shack by the theater was open until midnight. I felt much better about my post-show plans.

So, I didn’t get to any museums, but it was a nice afternoon. I ate my signature grocery store lunch on Parliament Square. I went to the post office and the library.

The highlight of the day  was an Evensong service at Westminster Abbey. The only thing that would have made that better was if Sidney Chambers was leading the service.  

Hamilton was also incredible. I know Thom will love it.