Had a spectacular time last evening with H. I am just now feeling almost human and it’s 3 o’clock! Still have a bit of headache but I may just need some food. Haven’t eaten since dinner last night.

So, after the British Museum yesterday I walked over to H’s office in Soho and met her office mates. They all seem to be a lovely bunch – Danae, Katie and Charlotte. After H wrapped things up we went for a curry at a nice little place called Masala Zone. H didn’t like it at all. She said it yuppiedifed Indian food. I thought the food was fine but I don’t know diddly about Indian cuisine and have to defer to her experience here. Hopefully we’ll hit a good curry joint before I leave.

Then we were off to see Spamalot at the Palace Theatre. I already had too much wine at dinner and we started right in at the bar once we got to the theatre.

Vodka lemonade limes – my new fav bevvie! It’s odd the lemonade here is sparkling and clear. New things, new ideas, good times! The lovely thing about the Palace is that you order your intermission drinks before the show so you’ll have time to sling back a few. I love that! So efficient about their booze, these English! Do all London theatres do this? I think it’s a brilliant idea and should be adopted here.

The show was AMAZING! I wasn’t sure what to expect or how it would all flow together as a musical but it was brilliantly put together. And it was very silly just like the Holy Grail movie. Delightful! Thank you H! What a great experience. The movie is one of my top 5 favorite movies of all time so seeing it as a musical was fantastic.

After the show we dashed back home to the cozy pub next door. There is a nice young bartender H has made friend with named Brad. He’s only 18! Crikey! I was floored. I assumed he was at least 22 since in the States you have to be 21 to work in a bar. England’s drinking age is 18! Who knew?! No worries mate, I don’t care how old he is. I’m equal opportunity in the friend department. He’s a nice kid and hooked us up with free beverages. Hence the hangover today. Egads. Getting older is not for the weak.

We got kicked out of the pub at midnight. That’s when they close here. So odd. Last call was at 11:30! Thank goodness we didn’t stay longer or I’d still be in bed. Woke up around 5 AM so totally disoriented. I forgot where the hell I was and it took a good ten minutes for me to remember I was in London. That was a little freaky to say the least. So up I go to get all the necessary meds one needs to manage hangovers at 40, and then it was back to bed. I do barely remember making a quesadilla when we got back to the flat so it explains why I was so congested and perhaps why my hangover is so bad – that whole wheat thing and all. Poor form on my part.

I spent most of today in bed waiting for the headache and queasiness to go away. It didn’t so I sucked it up and went into the city. I wandered around a bit looking at all the great architecture. So much old in this city. I love it. Finally made my way over to the Clock Tower to listen to Big Ben. He chimed 3′oclock for me. Isn’t that nice?! I meandered around Westminster and found a lovely bench to sit. I just watched the River and all the people go by. I was right next to St. Thomas Hospital and I could hear the workers talking on the other side of the wall. They were mending the or redoing the exterior of the place. It’s old. It needs it. Their conversation was funny. It took a few minutes for my ear to adjust to their accent. They were complaining about the usual-wife, work, football.

As I was sitting on the bench I did something I’ve never done before. I followed someone. These two men walked by and one had to most distinctive and beautiful voice since Mr. Darcy. In fact, it sounded so much like Tom from MI5 that I didn’t even think about what I was doing. I just got up and followed them! It was like being in an episode watching Tom and Harry discuss something all spyish. They always seemed to discuss something uber secret along the Thames in that show. The funny thing was that from the back, these two men looked very much like Tom and Harry – one in a business suit, shorter, balding and older; the other tall, dark hair, younger, jeans, blazer and that very distinctive voice. I didn’t see either from the front but I followed them anyway hearing snippets of conversation. Couldn’t tell what they were chatting about. I tried to! But they walked pretty fast.

I was sure they would walk for a while, even going past Westminster Bridge and on down past the Eye and all that tourist mess. But alas, they stopped at the steps up to the bridge and prepared to part. Drat! They both turned around and looked right at me. I wasn’t that close but it was disconcerting. I chuckled and kept on going searching out my chips and salsa fix. The Tom sound-alike was the older one and although smartly dressed he was not even an average looking chap. Poor thing! Oooooooo ahhhhh! Intrigue or more likely delirium but I don’t care. I had a good time in my head and it was a fabulous day for a walk. Then again, I suppose it couldn’t be too far-fetched since MI5 is just round the corner and MI6 is across the river only a few blocks down.

I was hoping to grab a drink at the Marriott bar in County Hall but couldn’t figure out how to get in due to tons of construction scaffolding in the way. And then I wanted to have a drink at the 2nd floor bar in the Royal Festival Hall which is in the same complex but all the construction was daunting here too. I then decided to cruise down toward the Globe when I caught site of Las Iguanas. Hallelujah! There is a God and he likes me! I dashed in and ordered a Coke with ice, chips and salsa, ceviche and a beer.

I felt much better. Sugar, caffeine and good food cure the hangover. I was getting a bit out of sorts because I was craving Mexican food and there aren’t any Mexicans in England! But fortunately, there are Brazilians and they opened Las Iguanas. Sigh of relief.

After my fuel up I was running short on time. And I was still a bit tired which is why my Day Three has been a bit less eventful. All that carrying on! I was planning on hitting the National Gallery before heading over to H in Soho but the weather was so divine that I wandered around outside Horse Guards gawking at all the wonderful buildings and statues. And people watching. I love people watching, and obviously, people following!

Thankfully, when I arrived at H’s office she was also ready for a nice chillout evening too. All we did was hop on the Tube back to the flat and veg. Good idea since we have such a big weekend ahead. I also needed to plot my tomorrow so I don’t dawdle and lose precious touristing time since today was a bit of a bust.

=============================================================================================

I do enjoy this city. I have enjoyed hearing all the accents. Not just UK ones, but accents from all over the world. Its as though all the places that England held as a colony now hold her as a one. So many foreign faces and sounds and dress. It’s wonderful. London has an energy I connect with. Have you noticed how different cities have different ‘feels’ to them? The energy level, the light, the colors, the sounds – everything is so different but feels like coming home, a perfect fit like new skin. There are cities I connect with and others that rub me the wrong way. Some feel like home even when I’m a tourist. And some feel like a scary alien planet where everyone has a laser gun but me. London is a connector. So is Chicago, Seattle and LA. I don’t connect with New York, Denver, Casper, or Wilmington. I wonder about a city’s energy-is it a collective vibe or does it come from something earthbound, something in the geology, geography. Curious.