Since I had to spend a weekend in Europe, I wanted to pay a visit to the only European that I know -- my friend Fredrik. Unfortunately, flights to Oslo from Frankfurt for the weekend were rather expensive (around $500 US). Luckily, Fredrik was in London on business last week, and he offered to extend his stay over the weekend, so that we could hang out in London. Flights from Frankfurt to London being much more plentiful (and hence cheaper), I was sold.
Aside from freezing ourselves schtoopid on Saturday in the early afternoon (I misjudged how cold it really was, and dressed too lightly), we had a kick-ass time. London is an amazing city. For one, the size and scope of the city is amazing (definitely on a par with New York, and much bigger than San Francisco). For another, the sense of history that the city has is breath-taking -- there has been a city in this area of the world for well over 2000 years. America really can't hold a candle to that.
Fredrik and I took a bus tour of the city, and saw a lot of the major sites quick (since we really didn't have that much time). We also made good use of our Tube day passes, zipping all over the city. We checked out Madame Tussaud's, but it was rather expensive, and we wouldn't have had much time to see it before closing. That is one thing about London -- most places close rather early, especially in the winter. So, the next time I go, I'll have to start my day earlier, and plan the evening more carefully -- finding a restaurant that was open when we wanted to eat was a bit tricky.
In a shocking twist, Fredrik and I went to the theatre for the evening's entertainment. We saw a play called "Fix Up" at the National Theatre. It was interesting, to say the least. Not experimental theatre or anything, and not a big show-tuney production either. Fredrik and I went into it pretty-much cold, with no expectations. And I wasn't disappointed -- because I think that the play defied pretty-much any expectations that I might have been able to supply, given the opportunity. The performances were quite solid, and I definitely came away feeling that the experience was worthwhile. I think I could be guy who sees more plays, as long as they aren't in the Le Miserables/Fame/Jerry Springer vein.
-Andy.
Posted by andyr at January 31, 2005 12:41 AM