England 2017-La La Land

         I cried as we walked out the door of the charming little place in Earls Court that we had called home for that week. Departure day is most dreaded. Not only do we have to say goodbye, just as when we left, we had to get through the hassle of getting to the airport, knowing where to go to check in in the hopes that there won't be any set backs. In addition to never having flown out of Gatwick International Airport, the area of the District line (a heavily traveled train route in London) was shut down at our station and we had to reroute to get to Victoria station where we were to make our connection to the airport. Most of the trains were very full  and there were times we had to carry our heavy luggage up many stairs where there were no lifts. I was a nervous wreck but tried to hold it together for Emma.

         After sheer and utter bedlam we, once again, made it to Gatwick and found our terminal on time without a whole lot of trouble at this point. When we reached our terminal, we were in the company of many anticipatory Disney bound  English tourists joining us on a flight to Orlando, Florida where we would have a two hour layover. They were wearing their mouse ears, had pillows with Disney princess pillowcases and I envied all of them as they shared the same excitement we did the week before.

          It did feel nice once the plane took flight and the rat race finally ended. However, my goodbye was now a reality and I was saddened by the uncertainty as to when I would return.

    The departure was early afternoon and since we were flying westbound across five time zones, I was happy to know that we would have lunch twice. My Indian Paneer arrived with a side of pink coleslaw, Boursin cheese with crackers, chocolate ganache for dessert and a small bottle of white wine. I dined while I watched the movie "La La Land." I ate my food slowly and gradually sipped the wine. Since I don't typically frequent wine with lunch, I was left feeling like I was a bit in La La Land myself. Though my "buzz" didn't really last that long, it wasn't such a bad feeling. I had to take a moment to celebrate the fact that I had successfully taken the time to stop and smell the roses in the midst of  a very busy life. It's why I do what I do. I refuse to live a life where I go to work, come home, pay bills and eventually die. Irresponsible? Maybe. A little. Regrets? Nope!

  Gallery 

One of the things I like to do the most in London and the best way to fight of jet lag is just by simply walking. I had already been here long enough for jet lag to no longer be an issue but walking the streets still stands as a priority. Though I will see many things I have seen before already, Emma will see them for the first time. I will never tire of any of them and will also welcome anything new. Picadilly Circus is like the Times Square of London. It is in the heart of the city where there is a lot of entertainment and shopping.

 

  London is a treasure trove of talent. Street musicians, jugglers, and men painted to look like statues can be seen throughout the streets.
(I had to keep the photos to a minimum as it was my last day in the city and I had no tip money left).

    

  Regent Street never fails to astound me. It is the first of my views once our tube train arrives to the West End. To think that these connected rows of buildings have stood through centuries!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not quite sure how this fellow looks ascomfortable as he does without really anything to sit on.
Quite fascinating none the less!

Here is the facade of Westminster Abbey as it glowed in the sun. Though I had no tip for the nearby bagpiper, I still enjoyed his music to go along with my view. 

Yes, we've all seen it, I know. Whole different story when it is right there in front of you.

 Beautiful view where tragedy had taken place two weeks prior. We took a moment to show respect and remember.

We had been walking quite a bit. We just needed a place to stop rest our feet for a while.

Here is an image of my Facebook status. I you'll notice, the notfication globe has now turned showing Europe and Africa. Facebook must have known I was in the UK! How about that? Not quite sure really.

                                                                       La La Land:

"Another Day of Sun"

 

       

           
  

England 2017- Alex, Esther and Prince Albert

   I did some online research ahead of time about what events would take place the week we would be in London. More importantly, would anything be free? I successfully was able to find a venue offering free live music. Not only did I succeed, but Italian cuisine would be included in the package.

     After a long pleasant early evening walk through South Kensington, we had found our destination within a large concert hall. We were seated in an elegant dining setting with a place reserved just for us. We arrived before the music began. I was very glad that the menu prices were reasonable as it was the last night we would be in London and my funds were close to exhausted. Emma and I shared a Margherita pizza with sparkling water. We learned that not all pizza in Britain are to be sliced, but eaten with a fork and knife which was how it would be served to us. I folded when Emma wanted chocolate chip gelato. The food was good but was really an added bonus as we were here for the music.

      There were only two up on stage that night. As the guests dined over fine food with wine in their glasses, a well known local jazz pianist glided his melodies with flawless technique and perfectly synchronized rhythms which accompanied them. His ballads flowed with much feeling and ease. His talent was extraordinary.

     Esther.

    There are people in this world who are searching for their purpose (now getting all philosophical). We all have to aspire and try different things to find out what were good at. That seems to come easier for some than it does than others. Some of us may take up sculpting or Zumba dancing and may easily find their place or simply just move on to the next thing as they begin to lose interest. And some of us know exactly who they are and where they need to go in life and take those things and make them their own.

     There was a very young woman who was setting up her place on the stage where she would play her stand up bass. Her name was Esther. She caught my attention very quickly though I was not sure what to expect. I have heard many jazz trios and different R&B acts and the players all seem to have a familiar persona about them. Many of them are men dressed in business casual attire and it is not unusual for the women to dazzle with sequins, costume jewelry, and heavy makeup. Esther's demeanor however was very conservative and more of intellect-not necessarily driven to look the role to pursue the center of attention. She did not have to.
  
      Each time the music began, she came to life with her instrument. Her frolicking fingers were as though they were dancing on the strings effortlessly and free. Since it was just her and the piano and there was no drummer, she played that role also as the body of the string bass became her drum. I later learned that Esther holds a doctorate in Genomic Medicine but is also someone of very animated talent who just wants to play her bass. It's women like this who change the world!
    

Royal Albert Hall, South Kensington, UK

   
   Place visited: Royal Albert Hall has been a performance
                          venue  since 1871 in honor of Albert, Prince
                          Consort. 
                                              
   Eats: Verdi Italian Restaurant

   Artists: Alex Hutton, piano
                 Esther Ng, Bass

   Date visited: June 16th, 2017

Alex and Esther

  

 Esther in action:

 "Beautiful Friendship"

Jazz combo benefit gig.

(Esther's solo is around 5:40)