have blog, will travel (aka London, baby)

13 hours.
13 fun-filled hours, confined to an airplane seat.
trapped like a rat.
in economy.
that's what i'm currently dealing with.

oh, hi folks, just checking in from 35,000 feet above Siberia at the moment...or is that Mongolia down there...?
not quite sure, but either way we're headed across Asia, over Europa until we reach our final destination of London.

it's a funny thing, all this time.
some choose to sleep or read...maybe a little bit of work.
to each his own.
me on the other hand, i'm indulging in the all-entertainment avenue.
after a short 5-minute catnap on the tarmac, i moved quickly to the tv shows, movies, and music...and in-between, staring blankly at the business class curtain divider.
did i mention Aline is up there?
all stretched out & comfy...almost too much room, wouldn't you say?
i can imagine the bottles are popping, the chocolate fountain flowing, all of them up there laughing in their splendor.
gee, i'd sure love a warm brownie & ice cream back here in 'low-class'..., i mean economy.
i actually stole that line from one of the fabulous features i've taken in thus far.
here's a quick rundown so far -
1 x The Office (UK version...when in Rome)
2 x Modern Family
2 x Curb
Due Date (where the aforementioned reference came from)
In Bruges, followed by another 3 Modern Familys.

as for the food, it's not bad.
7/10 maybe....
started off with an omelette for brunch, followed by the pasta for lupper.
i have no general issues with eating meat, i just find the pasta is usually the best/safest option to go with when flying.
yes, it likely screws over 'vegetable lasagna', sitting all the way in the back of the plane, but that's his fault for not checking in online earlier.

don't get me wrong, i'm certainly not complaining about the 'situation' i'm in.
am i a little jealous about Aline's 'situation'? yes.
am i a little uncomfortable in my 'situation'? a touch.
that said, we're inside 4ish hours from touchdown at Heathrow and the start of my vacation.
yes, you heard me - vacation!
i'm working now, i deserve to throw that word around again.
my only hope is that Aline is able to join in on the festivities eventually on this trip.

i packed ultra slim for the jaunt, rocking only 2 carry-ons.
nothing checked but the rent.
it's the epitome of liberation and efficiency to walk straight through to the airport exit, via the EU line (i gotz the passport) and bypassing that horrible luggage roundabout.
as I type though, i'm still mulling my 2 options to get from the airport into the city - either by the tube or an express train to Paddington.
the latter is 3x faster, yet 6x more expensive.
hmmm.
for those that know me well, that math is easy.

upon arrival, i'm meeting up with a friend of a good friend to pick up keys to said good friend's flat, where i'll lay it down for the first 2 days of the trip...
after which, the bank is ponying up for our hotel for the duration.
when i say 'room', you say 'service'....
(of course i would never dream of it, sweetheart.)

oh, the places you'll go when in London.
there's Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Parliament, kids....
yes, i will likely see these landmarks in passing, as i play my trademark "Get Lost - London Edition" game.
but i'm actually more excited to check out some cool neighbourhoods, get a taste for some local faves.
Team Oz member, Lou, was kind enough to provide me with the inside scoop on her must-see's.

editor's note - as i pound the keyboard, my neighbour across the aisle is watching Black Swan, and i can't help notice that in the last 5 minutes, both Natalie and Mila have been doing a lot more than dancing.
note to self: watch this flick on the way home.

the plan for this evening -
grab a pint, grab some bangers & mash, and likely crash out on the couch while watching Countdown.
so pretty much what i'd normally be doing, just in a different area code.

if any freedomites have any suggested itinerary additions, feel free to fire them up.
remember, this is as much your trip as it is mine.
oh, the places you'll go.



-------
real-time update>
i made it safely into Notting Hill, via the more expensive/quicker express train. shocking, i know. met up for the pad keydrop followed by a great pub meal & pints in me from the local down the road. aside from my mobile not working and word that Aline is without her luggage in Manchester, things are good....well, at least for me i suppose.
eyes heavy, 3:30AM HK time. bed imminent.