6/29 – Life in technicolor

What I did:

I got to sleep in a little today, but got ready to go and checked out. This was the same hotel I stayed in the very first week of my time here. Both when I was checking in and out this time, the same guy that was there last time recognized me. That was kind of cool. The first time was probably just because the computer told him, but this morning he knew me by name.

I decided to go to Regent’s Park since I had a little time before my train would leave and it is on the way. So I walked over there and looked through Queen Mary's gardens. It was nice, especially the shade on this really warm day (although I still just kind of laugh at the 80 degree weather). It was a very colorful place and I tried to get pictures of some butterflies and mice that I saw in the flowers, but they were both too skiddish and wouldn’t stay still long enough.

It got to be time to head to the station, so I walked back down Baker Street, and now have proof of walking the street of Sherlock Holms. I also walked past the Methodist Church House, which I think may be where Graham works, which seemed kind of ironic. But I made it to the train station and grabbed a sandwich before getting on my train and heading back to Sheffield.

It was still pretty early in the day, so I took my time and walked through Sheffield some. I don’t know why, but I do really like just walking through big cities with no particular purpose and just taking in the normal life of people. Even in Dallas. So I walked back through the center and sat outside a big fountain for a while. I saw lots of kids (and grown-ups) playing in the fountain and getting really wet. Eventually I decided to go ahead and head back. So I made it back to Matt and Rachel’s house and went in to see Wimbledon on. I watched the game for a little while (and got to see the roof close – how exciting). Matt came back in and we both went to look around a store called Curry’s, which is kind of like Best Buy.

We went back and watched some more Wimbledon. Matt invited one of his neighbors over for dinner and we had a nice dinner of baked chicken which watching Murray struggle through his match. But victory was his in the long run. I had never really watched Murray play before tonight (mainly because I have not watched any serious tennis in way too long), but it was an excellent match. I feel that it is compulsory to root for him now that I am over here, and it is really crazy how much the entire country is behind him.

A nice evening and I look forward to a bit of a restful day tomorrow.

What I learned:

St. Pancras International rail station is very modern and not a half bad place to spend time waiting for a train.

Crowded London underground starts to get a little miserable this time of year. But I still really like it because barring any major construction work, you don’t really have to plan anything to use it, you just go and jump on whenever you need to. So it is great for last minute plans and decisions.

There is a type of flower (rose) called sexy rexy. While it is a nice flower, the kind in the garden was a pale pink and I don’t think it completely suits its name.