Freak in a Fountain

Ha ha! The things you see when looking for rivers. This guy was just hanging out by some fountain taking pictures in full-face leopard make-up. Extra from "The Lion King" or dumbass fool? His girlfriend/photographer had her face painted to look like a parrot. She-fool! But on the other hand, isn't it nice that they found each other and now they can prance around London together taking pictures of each other wearing animal make-up? Awwww....sweet! (Fools).

...I Emerged In London Rain

We arrived in London at at the St. Pancras/King's Cross station at around 9am. I washed my face, joined the tourist throng and headed to the exit. My plan was to head to the river,walk around, visit the Tate Modern, and maybe grab some lunch until Juli was done with her afternoon plans. Luckily it seemed like it had just stopped raining, and the air was nice and cool

Once outside, feeling very Pet shop Boys-ish, I started randomly walking to the left, thinking that I would just evetually run into the Thames (or at least a sign with an arrow). After a little while, I made another left, walked down a cute cobblestone road and sat in a little park to eat my sandwich. I also got a call from John, Emmanuelle's friend, and we agreed to meet at 2pm at Piccadilly Circus for lunch.

Then I walked through a church carnival, down another lane, and somehow ended back at the station (which by the way, was a totally cool building, but not enough to come back to it so soon).

Admitting to myself that I am no boy scout, I went into Boots and bought a pocket map (along with some chocolate and jelly babies) and headed back out on my way.

By this time it had somehow warmed up quite a bit, so I threw my sweater into the bag and headed to that river I'd seen so much of at the end of Benny Hill shows.

I Was On the Paris Train...

At 5am, I headed to the Gare du Nord to catch the Eurostar to London. Since I had been there a few weeks before to pick up Juli , it was actually really easy to find my terminal. However, I did have a little freak-out when my card didn't work in the automated ticket retrieval machine and then there was no one at the help kiosk. Le crap. Luckily I walked around and found another help desk what seemed like a mile away on the other end of the station where a totally grumpy guy printed out my tickets for me.

Since I was actually kinda early, I bought a sandwich for the train and then spent the rest of the time walking around the waiting area until they finallycalled boardoing and it was time to go through immigration. That process was a little weird since you go from one desk where you are asked questions in french, to another five steps away where they ask questions in english, and they're all "cheers" and "jolly good".

The train itself was awesome. The seats were large and cush, and there was a full rack of complementary magazines by each compartment door. And not like airplane magazines where you can buy garden gnomes and learn about how to get to your next terminal, but goodstuff like Bazaar, The Economist, and Numero.

And then cherry on top: there was breakfast service! Just as I was settling down to work my way through my new pile of magazines, the stewardess (or train equivalent) brought me tray with croissants, jam, orange juice, and coffee. And then when I was finished...she brought me an omelet with susage and baked tomato. Yay!

After breakfast, I dozed off while listening to the very bohemian and aromatic american parents sitting behind me in the compartment explain the perils of using non-organic soaps and the evils of shampoo to their kids. Dirty hippies.

Prepping for London

I spent the rest of the night preparing for the trip. First, I called Juli to see if she was going to be around, luckily she was and immediately asked if I wanted to go see The Dark Knight with her, but then was kinda bummed that I was only coming for the day. Since my train back to Paris left at 9pm, and she had plans in the afternoon, it meant no time for movies. But still, we planned on getting together for early dinner. Not that I was looking forward to steak-and-kidney pies and english muffins and stuff, but more for the conversation.

Right after I hung up, I rethought the situation. I mean, what better reason to go to London than to watch a movie with Juli. Also, Gina has just emailed me to tell me how good the movie was and it wasn't coming to Paris until I left. So what the bloody hell? So I called Juli back and we made a date with Batman. I figured I'd wander around London until the morning train, but Juli graciously offered me her couch for the night.

Considering that at home I avoid even going as far as Daly City, or the Marina, for movies, I felt completely decadent (which is a feeling I don't necessarily hate lol).

I also emailed Emmanuelle's friend John, whom she'd always wanted me to meet. Since Juli wasn't going to be available until after 5pm, I wrote him and asked if he was free for lunch.

I spent a good part of the rest of the night talking to Raymond. He had gone downstairs to use the computer and had been accosted by a pack of japanese, who then peer-pressured him into drinking numerous shots of whiskey. He was a little confused by the fact that I was leaving again. And for such a short amount of time. Not sure if he was sad to see me go, or upset that he wouldn't have the room to himself for longer. Hmmmm.

After he finally passed out while telling me some story about a girl and geometry, I packed my tote with London overnight essentials (toothbrush, t-shirt, change of underwear, chocolate bars, iPod, umbrella, sweater and camera) for the trip and tried to not fall asleep so I wouldn't miss the early 6am metro to the Gare du Nord.