Virgin Atlantic is really the best airline when flying to Europe. I had a bulkhead seat (no seats in front and plenty of room to move around without disturbing the other people - the best seat on the plane, really), sitting with a lovely English couple. All three of us sat down together, the guy looked at me and said something, "I may have to use your shoulder if I fall asleep" - quite funny.
Why a bulkhead seat? This picture tells all
So, we settled in for our almost 10 hour flight. All was well until I pulled out my headphones to listen to some music and PANIC AT THE DISCO!
No, not the group... I have wired headphones when I travel to Europe because I'm constantly listening to music and part of this is a second step - always have a dongle that will connect my headphones with the phone as Apple discontinued a headphone jack to make people use their new-fangled Air Pods <eye roll> When I put my headphones in my bag, I made sure I saw the white dongle Well..... when I took it out, I realized it was not the right connector. I panicked, no music for 10 hours?? I sat there for a while trying to think of a solution. The only solution was to check the ziplock bag of connectors I threw together at the last minute (that's a whole different story) - so I got into the overhead bin -
Can we stop a minute and talk about overhead bin space on this Virgin Atlantic Flight? SO MUCH BIN SPACE. No one was asked to check their bags because there wasn't enough space - SO MUCH BIN SPACE.
Anyway - I pulled my backpack down and grabbed the bag and low and behold, there was the correct dongle! My flight was saved!
Virgin Atlantic always has good food, but I feel like I've had this chicken and rice dish before. It's not their best work - the other option was a vegetarian pasta which I just wasn't in the mood for. The salad was good, the cheese and crackers are always welcome and the chocolate mousse thing was good. After the dishes were cleared, I settled in for a nap or whatever was going to happen. Quick trip to the loo, a few gumnies to aid in my sleep (Thanks to Rae for hooking me up at the last minute) and I listened to some music and closed my eyes. Eventually, the lights went down, but unfortunately, the activity around my seat did not. There was a busy dad that was up out of his seat every few seconds to make sure his family was good - and this older lady which I thought was his mom, but she got off the plane without them - so I guess he adopted her for the flight. In hindsight, it was beautiful. Anyway, he was out of his seat with his phone light on to check on things, then he dropped something and was on his hands and knees (with the phone light) looking for it. I swear, every time I opened my eyes, and I looked left - there with his back to me talking to his wife (W 34 L 32) I must say, he always had a smile on his face and was quite friendly. Unlike the person behind me, which I thought was a child as they were constantly kicking my seat - which I never recline so he had all the room he needed) to find out, it was a grown man who really wanted that flight to be over as he pretty much was pushing his way out and running through the terminal - and it wasn't like he was trying to make a connection because I saw him later with his bags, etc. There's always one. I slept on and off for a few hours, feeling rested. I have a tradition when I fly. For the last 2 hours of the flight, I listen to Sunset Blvd from beginning to end, and if I time it right, it ends when we land. Well, I timed it right, but I'm not sure when it ended because I fell alseep and woke up as we landed and the album had ended
I have my my preparation for landing, and so does Virgin Atlantic. I loved how the lights slowly came up in the cabin, it took a while - it was like a sunrise. Some airlines just turn the lights on and BOOM it's bright, this was quite the slow transition. Very cool. We were also served breakfast - a croissant sandwich, yogurt and fruit, and coffee or tea. I actually asked for a diet coke and while she didn't have any on the cart, she brought me 2 small cans when she was done serving. That is service. The breakfast was great.
Upon landing, we disembarked on to the tarmac and took a bus to the terminal. Customs was easy, getting the luggage was easy, to find the handle on my suitcase is missing a screw. This will be the last outing for this suitcase. I felt like a local when I was approached answer questions about the Heathrow Express and other Tube lines with ease. I am thankful for markings on the side of the platforms.....
The train ride to Paddington Station was easy, and getting to my hotel was easy as well. My hotel, The Royal Eagle, is in the Paddington Neighborhood. I like it here because it's close to Paddington Station and the Heathrow Express to the airport. My room is quite tiny, but will work just fine. Here is a video of the room
I laid down on the bed and woke up 3 hours later. I guess getting up on Sunday at 5:30am and then sorta sleeping on the plane, etc, caught up with me. When I got my bearings, I took a shower and headed out into the neighborhood. My hotel is on Craven Street, always reminds me of "The Secret Garden"
I headed to the nearest Cafe Nero to start this blog, but not before I stopped and picked up 2 converters for my room. I'm all set now. As I was writing this blog, Joe popped in and we chatted and then decided to start walking in the general direction to wear the restaurant was for dinner.
My cousin Valerie and her daughter and her husband Joe just happened to be vacationing in London the same time I am. No, it wasn't planned, but we just so happened to plan a week or so get away at the same time. So, that was really cool.
Joe and I walked a little until we came to The Churchill Bar and Terrace where we stopped for a drink and a cigar. What a way to begin a vacation.
We had our drinks and cigars and talked. Then we headed to meet Val and Autumn at the German Gymnasium for dinner. The food was amazing - so many meats!!!! The conversation sparkling, and the tea was spilt. So much fun. We all shared everything, so good.
We said our goodbyes and headed to our respective neighborhoods for tomorrow is another exciting day. First show tomorrow and I'm bringing the gang with me as we visit.... well.... If I tell you, you'll need to keep your hand at the level of your eyes, beware of the Punjab lasso.
Mattei
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