Comin' Around Again...

...my voice, that is.

Yay!

I took yesterday off, slept in, watched DVDs and read all day. It was fantastic, and I feel a lot better for it today. Still a bit mucous-y but definitely in better form.

The biggest excitement in my life is that I'm going to London on Saturday. First I'm going to do a photo exhibition through Meg's London, followed by a 1:00 performance of the Royal Ballet with Carlos Acosta (Ooh la la!). The Meg's London Tour is as follows:

1. London Liverpool Street Rail Station This station is my gateway. When I leave it, I'm entering my beloved Essex, a county as dear to my heart as London itself is. When I pull into Liverpool Street, I enter the fabulous and enchanting London, where I am never bored.

2. Chancery Lane Tube Station From Liverpool Street I will catch the Central Line to Chancery Lane, which was my stop when I lived in London 6 years ago. From this small station I drift upstairs to...

3. Gray's Inn Road This was my street. I'll walk a few blocks to the building I lived in, taking pictures of familiar landmarks, like my flat windows, the market, etc.

4. Theobald's Road and Southhampton Row These two streets were along my walk to school each day. On Southhampton Row I'll pop into the little newsagent I always frequented. I would stop there on my way home from class to buy a sandwich or a Dr. Pepper, or the latest More! magazine.

5. Great Russell Street

School was along this street, a few blocks down from Southhampton Row. Along the way is a lovely little park square and the glorious British Museum. Also of interest is the Museum Surgery, where I first went when I broke my toe.

6. University of Florida Building University of Florida allowed Chico State to use a classroom for the semester abroad program, so we met there 4 days a week for classes. It was also where I checked email.

7. Tottenham Court Road, Oxford Street and Charing Cross Road

A teensy little walk from the school building is London's biggest shopping district, Oxford Street. I used to wander through the shops, but more often than not, I would walk the length of Charing Cross Road to one of my favorite tourist traps in London...

8. Leicester Square Pronounced "Lester" by the Brits, it is gaudy, crowded, and fun. Cinemas, casinos, street performers, you name it. I love Leicester Square, for its unapologetic tackiness and profusion of cheap, tacky gift shops (anyone want a cheap teapot? Badly sewn teddy bear?).

9. Trafalger Square Just around the corner from the blissful tackiness of Leicester Square lies the stately and grand Trafalger Square, home to the gorgeous old St. Martin's-in-the-Fields church (named when it was, literally, in the fields), the National Gallery, and Nelson's Column. From the steps in front of the National Gallery you can see Big Ben keeping time. It is another of my favorite spots in London, for its beauty, museums and proximty to other fabulous things.

10. Whitehall Street Leaving Trafalger Square, I love to meander down Whitehall, directly towards Big Ben. Along the way are the guards on horses and Downing Street. At the end are the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, two of London's most famous landmarks.

11. The Thames From here I will make a left and find myself at the River Thames. I'll wander along the river for a few minutes, taking in the many views of St. Stephen's Tower (home of Big Ben) and the London Eye on the South Bank. My wanderings will lead me away from the river and toward

12. Covent Garden Covent Garden is home of a famous market, some great little shops, and the Royal Opera House. It is at the Royal Opera House that I will see Carlos Acosta. I hope to reach Covent Garden in time in my walking, otherwise I'll have to Tube it.

Now, let's just hope that the weather is nice enough for all this walking. If not, I guess I'll just have to do Meg's Tour another day. But I will do it before I leave.

If it rains, perhaps I'll go to the Tower of London in the morning...

All for today!

Cheers,

Meg