Travel Diary

Wednesday

I slept soundly, though was quite tired when 7am came. Getting to see the city in the morning meant fighting back the sleepiness, so I arose and met up with Terry for breakfast. It was an extra $15 to partake of the hotel continental breakfast, but the food was pretty good and the juices were exceptionally tasty--which meant they were probably mostly sugar water, but somehow that seems okay when you think it’s a tiny bit nutritious.

After that, some of us went walking around the city, though Elaine felt tired so Lesly headed back with her. We were heading south this time to see the churches and canals. As luck would have it, we came across a very nice canal area with swans and other fowl swimming. With the morning light coming up, it made for some really exceptional photos. I probably should have brought my camera lens filters, although since I haven’t really studied much how to effectively use them, it probably would not have helped much and again ... more weight.

Then it was back to the main square. We walked around the market a little and I picked up some grapes. I did need to check out though, so I asked Lesly to pick me up some chocolate (this was Belgium after all) and I gave her 25 euros to do so. I just said, “Buy all the chocolate you can for the money.” I needed a good supply of this world renowned Belgium Chocolate.

At the hotel, I checked out and told them how pleased I was with the room. For the price and location, it was almost a steal.

It was a little tough to find terry and Lesly but I managed to locate the chocolate shop just as she was completing the purchase. At that point, I said goodbye, loading my bag and backpack onto my back and front, and headed off. Usually, I roll the main bag, but over the cobblestone streets, it was much easier to carry it all to the station.

It meant for a little extra sweating though.

I made good time and got there quite early and then checked the ticket departure time against the sign. The time was a minute off. That was odd. Usually the ticket and train times match exactly unless a train is delayed. Something was wrong.

Ah, there was the problem. My ticket said it was leaving out of Brussels at 10:56 and I was in Bruges. What?!? How did this happen? I don’t even remember not buying the full ticket, but perhaps I had intended to just take an impromptu train to Brussels the day of. I think they just didn’t sell those tickets online. In any case, it was not good.

I raced downstairs to confirm my suspicions and yup, I was correct. I asked for a ticket to Brussels and bought one, making the 10:56 train with an actual ticket in hand.

I thought I might be able to just climb on the next London train, but this was not to be. For those trains, people just don’t find their way up the platform, board a car, and then show the old ticket later when asked. Nope. This had ticket checks, passport checks, and baggage scans. Going from the continent to the island was serious stuff.

I needed a new ticket. But maybe the old one would be credited.

No such luck. The last one was forfeited and I had to buy another. It was 209 euros for the 2pm train or 110 euro for the train four hours later. Either way, I would be missing my first show.

Live and learn.

I did buy the first ticket as killing four hours in Brussels with all my luggage didn’t seem fun. I hated losing money, but it does help make lessons more memorable.

The boarding was akin to boarding a flight, but I was soon on the train and seated in first class (it was only 5 euros more). The crew came around and delivered a nice meal, which even included wine. It was a nice bonus.

At London, I found myself in my old city. The same energetic atmosphere was there, and the weather was great. The biggest problem was lack of Internet. I mean, the plan I purchased back in the States for 100 MB of data was not working in England. This would become an issue.

I couldn’t get free Wi-Fi at the train station either, so I just decided to hit the road and head south. Sooner or later, I would find the hotel.

It was much later than sooner.

Once again, I found myself constantly walking down the wrong street and wondering what was going on. I’d turn back and still end up finding the destination and me at odds. Google Maps helped, but the compass was not working well with all the tall buildings. I had a large map of London but even that was tough to follow. I should have printed out a large turn by turn map of exactly where the hotel was located. Next time for sure. I mean I’ve only been making this mistake for 15 years or so.

Another problem I had was that the Maps app was draining my battery. And it was draining my charging pack too. Without a phone at all, it would be very tough to reach the hotel. I turned it off to save power.

I did suddenly find myself in the University of London area ...

Luckily, I finally reached St. James Park and the hotel was close by. It was a great relief to finally see the street name I wanted and then the hotel right after. I checked in, and went up to my room.

Unloading the luggage was a good feeling. I showered first and then went downstairs to the pub and restaurant. No food would be necessary. My only desire was to have a Guinness, which tasted great. After a day of traveling, it was nice to rest.

But there was a show to catch. True, I had missed my matinee of “Shakespeare in Love,” which I had already bought a ticket for (argh!) but that was the past. I would be seeing a night show too.

The theatre was near the hotel so I was able to walk there. I left my camera at the hotel, yet I could take some photos with the iPhone.

I was a little cautious on getting to the theater okay, so I left early. The walk led me near St. James Park and then to Trafalgar Square. I went up a few streets and then found the large intersection that was filled with London life. People coming to and from. Busses driving by. Tourists and Londoners alike. It’s what gives the city its chaotic orderly charm.

Good stuff.

My ticket was at will call and I picked it up and found my seat.

“39 Steps” was a funny play. It wasn’t as funny as I had heard it would be, but it still made for an enjoyable night at the theatre. Once it was done, I was back to meandering the streets looking for places and buildings to photograph. I also found a small store to buy a Guinness.

 

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