I needed to strengthen my travelling vein again. In some
degree, being raggedly by different circumstances like covid and less income
during maternity leave, by different people like spouse (actionable conduct)
and little son (non-actionable conduct). So it seemed a sound decision to leave
the country for a couple of days right before the year-end rush.
I decided to take my elder son with myself to the United
Kingdom and wanted to show the metropolis of London. Since BREXIT, UK seemed a
bit unapproachable for me due to the changed conditions. Changed? To tell you
the truth, none of them was experienced. First recognition was that no roaming
service was needed because none of the phone service providers excluded the
country since 2020, when the withdrawal of the UK from the EU happened. They
handle the country as part of EU furthermore.
Why London and why with Dominik? Firstly, we did not spent
time together since 5 years. Before, we travelled the world together. And I
think I managed to forward that travelling vein to him, he is also a fan of
foreign countries thanks to me - he says. I wanted him to be under impression
caused by native English language environment. Secondly, the flight ticket was
too reasonable (not the rest, ha-ha) not to grab the opportunity. Thirdly, I
needed a little break and at this stage of the office move I could afford 2
days off.
It was during my elementary school years when I first (and
last) was in the UK but the memory is still so vivid in my mind as it had
happened only yesterday. Second time being so independent, accomodated at a real
English family (remember their family name "Blackhall"). I remember exactly
the name of each places, squares, gardens, museums, palaces that we visited at
that time. Those took hold of me much better even as a child than the I-do-not-have-the-idea-even-today-how-it-called
amusement park. Good memories, one of the first real travel experiences of my
life at the age of 13.
As we had limited time, I planned and reserved everything in
advance, figured out when and where to go, allowing some flexibility in the
schedule, also in line with the weather. Of course, all the must-to-sees were
visited such as Buckingham Palace (changing the guard could have been omitted
again), Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Camden Town (favourite) including Cyberdog
shop, Picadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Madame Tussauds. We approached
Greenwich by uber boat, walked under River Thames along the foot tunnel, booked
free tickets to British Museum and Sky Garden, took Harry Potter pictures at
the platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station. Although, the transfer took much
time also from and to Stansted Airport and between our hotel and city center as
well but it were all worth. The hotel choice (Ibis Budget in Bromley) was an
excellent one with its greatest location and cleanliness. Dominik wanted to try
some fast food restaurant that we do not have here in Hungary such as Taco
Bell, Five Guys, etc. and he was not disappointed, they were damn good. As for
me, still in love with the double-deckers!
