So, as we waited at Heathrow for our luggage, we tried to figure out where to go to grab an Uber or a cab. And in just that one tiny second, I realized how my entire life revolves around WiFi now.And the cool thing is, I don’t have it here. At least not when I’m out and about. Which is, shall we say, when I really need it.
By the way - business class on British Airways - TERRIFIC. The lounge while waiting - AMAZING. Leftover red noses from Red Nose Day - BRILLIANT!
Oh, I would be remiss to leave out how delightful the customs process was. We strolled through, scanned our passports, chose the ‘nothing to declare line’ and walked right out. Bam. Also, no one yelled at us or anyone else the entire time. So blissfully un American.
Anyway, grabbed our bag, used our actual eyeballs and a small portion of brain to follow the sign to taxi and then successfully climbed in one. This is big because if you’ve followed our travels you know that we absolutely SUCK at getting a taxi in any country. But look at us now!
Taxi driver says - where are you going? We said the hotel and the neighborhood. He said, “what’s the postal code?” Well. I didn’t see that coming. And you know how we would look that up? WiFi. So, we said, “We don’t know.” He said he needed to know. So we said we didn’t know. And then magically he realized he had WiFi and also GPS and also the Uber system so off we went! (Imagine navigating only by postal code!! In a massive city!)
Next thing you know, we arrived at our lovely hotel about 8 hours before check-in. The reception desk was absolutely lovely. They let us into the restaurant for coffees and continued to press the housekeeping staff to prioritize our room. (Yay for Marriott loyalty points!) We got in around 11 after an insanely joyous amount of people watching in the lobby chairs. So many people, countries, languages, mannerisms! Everyone was calm and chill, even when frustrated. That was nice.
We became acutely aware that there were 2 lifts and both were the slowest, like tragically slow, elevators I might have ever seen. Large lines would form. And then 15 people would try to cram into the space for…let’s say appropriately 6-8 with no luggage. These lifts would be the Bain of our existence- 100%.
We took a walk about while waiting for our room- it was a bit rainy on the way back but we ducked under shop entrances and managed to stay dry. We were right off a major street with tons of restaurants, bars, shops, etc. So cute! I love a walkable city!
Our room is perfect - a bedroom area to the left, the bath, and a full living room and kitchen to the right. We wanted to stay here, even though it was farther out, for the full suite since we’d be there an entire week. And- amazing - free laundry in the basement! W00t!
With that done, we decided to grab an Uber over to Westminster area to meet up with Mike and Diana for a pint since we’d all been able to check in and grab a nap.
We got to their hotel and found them waiting in the lobby for us! YAY! So good to see them again! Big hugs all around and then off for a walk to a neighborhood pub.
Everything was delicious - cider, beer, even the white wine! And, there was an incredible singer playing the guitar with an American set list from the 70s to today. We enjoyed him so much and the time to catch up.
After that, we grabbed an Uber from the pub because we were on their WiFi and headed back to our hotel. They had a room service agreement with the Italian place across the street so we called in an order for some pasta. We ran (slowly because, see above, elevator) down to the lobby bar to grab a bottle of red before our food arrived. While standing there, the only other person sitting in the bar looks at us and says, “Where y’all from?”
And wouldn’t you know.
Jason said, “well…. Texas and California.”
The guy smiled. Then he said, “Me, too.”
Because of course.
So, he is a cattle rancher from Upland, CA originally. Moved his entire 5000 head of cattle to Texas a few years ago- about the time we passed him moving to California!
Jason said, “whereabouts in Texas?”
“San Angelo.”
We smiled. We know people from there.
“Actually, he says, Wall, Texas. Teeny tiny. No one knows it.”
“I do,” I said, because I KNOW I DO but the old brain was done braining for the day and I couldn’t come up with it until we shook hands and left. Then, while spending 12 minutes in the elevator I screamed out, “Brent and Sandy Jameson!” Jason was in his fraternity with Brent and I in my sorority with Sandy and they married (Brent and Sandy - not the fraternity and sorority.)
Anyway, back in the room Jason says this is too funny. I want to know if that guy knows Brent so he calls the front desk and asks to be transferred to the bar. “Well sir, I cannot. There is no phone there. Can I take a message for you?” (LOL!!!! I love other countries!!!)
Jason says, “ok, grab some paper. Go ask that one guy at the bar with the martini if he knows Brent Jameson. We just met him - he’ll remember- but ask him if he knows Brent.”
Reception man, ‘Ok, sir.”
A minute later the phone rings. Reception man, “Sir! He says he knows him! He wanted me to give you his cell and said to text him!”
HAHAHAHAHAHA.
By then it was very late- so we finished our (amazing) pasta, enjoyed our red wine, and planned to text Wall Texas man in the morning.
I love a small world story ALL DAY LONG.
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