I got into London and checked into my hostel with no problems. Although the building is lovely and clean, my room is a mess. I’m in a dorm and apparently the other occupants are all traveling together and have taken over the room. Since there are large signs everywhere in the building about how your luggage has to be either on your bed or in your locker, I went to the front desk to inquire about the large mounds of clothing that were in the middle of the floor. Mounds, which I had to step over to reach a locker.
The girl at the front desk came back and looked at the room and said, “You can use this one.” She pointed to a locker with its top bashed in. As long as I kept things in a bag in the locker, no one would be able to pull them out of the slight crack in its top. Sigh. But, for £12 a night, one can’t complain too much.
After I checked in, I hopped on the tube and went to the hotel where Steve and Alethea are staying. The first thing that struck me when I came up out of the Tube station was that it had gotten dark while I was underground. Do you know how long it has been since I have seen a night sky? I found it surprisingly exciting to have this inky blackness hanging above the trees.
We met for drinks in the bar. I had a hard cider, which I love and which you can’t get in Iceland. I might add that to my list of things to take back with me on Sunday. We had a great time talking and catching up.
When I left, I discovered that I had missed the last train. Now, I’m used to New York, where the trains run round the clock, but get less frequent. I had not expected the trains to stop running. My hostel is not far from here, so I started to walk, but started sniffling. After a block, I thought about my headcold and decided that walking was a bad plan. I hailed a cab, and rode back to the hostel.
There I discovered that my roommates were five young men, two of whom snore. I shall have to ask to move to a different room. I put in ear plugs, but they only muffled the sound. I did manage to fall asleep, until this morning when their various cellphones began ringing. I suppose I should be grateful that they only let them ring instead of answering them and having a conversation.
After I got up, I walked through Hyde park to Steve and Alethea’s hotel. We’re going out for lunch with Stel Pavlou this afternoon. I have heard many stories about him, but not had a chance to meet. It should be a fun day.
Today we are going to their signing. It is scheduled at Forbidden Planet.
Wow, sorry about the mess at the hotel. There should be a story in that somewhere. Something about a woman who finally goes nuts and gruesomely murders the people sharing her hotel dorm room. She probably uses a fast-acting poison discovered on a website named Hatrack. I hope the rest of the trip goes more smoothly.
By the way, it looks like something got chopped at the end of your post.
Hi Love,
Yes, I actually looked at the blog. What’s the code to unlock the cell phone?
Love, Rob
We haven’t heard from you, so …?
I thought I had your contact information, and then discovered that I didn’t. I feel awful. Grovelingly awful. I’m so, so sorry. I should have planned this trip better.