I don’t remember what day Kenya and I left, I just remember it was early in Seattle and security was tight. Kenya and I were tired, so we didn’t talk to many people, but mentioned London to a few people and they said it was great. Of course they all had British accents. Anyhow, only had one lay over which was enough to see the terminal in DC and get to the next gate. Then the looooooong flight over the Atlantic. It was nice to arrive in London pretty early in the day, but I had to shower and everything before I felt I could really go out. One thing we liked to try and do though is go out and do something, anything right when we get somewhere. None of this "let me get my wits about me" or rest up, just go go go. So got freshened up, changed clothes and straight to Victoria station. This is the most major and central train station in London. I think every train in England must stop there. It is so much different than what we have in America. The only thing similar could be Grand Central, but Victoria, like all the train stations is pretty much open air, as there is a roof and everything, but you go into the station and can walk directly to a train. So, you go into the station and it isn’t much warmer than outside as it is open air, immediately you hear the clicking of those reader boards that are black and fluorescent. So, you hear that and all the people are looking up and this thing is massive. Comparable to the screen in Times Square but longer. Like Times Square it shows news and other media too. So we go to the tourist authority, now I wouldn’t suggest it in the states, but these people are awesome. They are very knowledgeable, pretty nice, and can get most everything. We went for tube passes. Pay some 35 pounds and you can ride the tube almost everywhere in whichever zone. This is like metro pass, but it has your picture and you have to pay according to how many zones you intend on crossing. Most people only really need zone one(central London). This got us to the End, fabric, and Coliseum quite easily, but the cabs are great to.
We were hungry from the flight, so we ducked in to a little café and grabbed a bite and a spot of coffee. I wasn't much of a coffee drinker, but it was cheaper than soda and we figured it couldn’t hurt. It helped warm me up anyway. From Victoria station we started walking around taking everything in, can’t really remember anything that struck me as very interesting, but we did find out a thing or two about places that we did want to go. British museum, the high streets, train to Stonehenge etc. etc. Another thing we liked to do when traveling is find the local grocery stores so we can at least attempt to not look like a complete tourist. Our hotel was located right next to the tube, and a market, so I was pretty happy with that. Also the hotel had a breakfast buffet which was absolutely perfect. The continental breakfast you get there is so much more than you would ever expect…lets just say I don’t think we ate as well for breakfast since we quit breast feeding.
Kenya and I go to the grocery and it is really interesting. First everything is metric, which is nice if you have an idea of the quantities, but the best thing is they sell liquor in the grocery stores (we don’t do that in Washington). Anyhow, just bought the toiletries I didn’t bring and some things for the fridge in the room (read PEPSI). Probably went to bed pretty early since we just got off the plane and were tired.
Next day we went to the high streets. The high streets are something like fifth avenue, but there are several different areas and other weird shopping places along the way. I guess we weren’t to impressed with the high streets because we didn’t buy a thing there, but I managed to go to most of the record stores. Namely HMV, Virgin, and Blackmarket. HMV was pretty much like any music store, just floors and floors of music, and probably more records then most. Certainly more than the ones here, as they don’t exist. Virgin was the same, but they had an internet café that was pretty handy for me to keep in touch with everyone back home (should have started blagging back then). Anyhow, the one I really cared about was Blackmarket; it is kind of funny, but you still find that drum and bass is kind of pushed off to the side. After getting lost trying to find it in those messy streets (the streets really are quite confusing) We do find it and head immediately downstairs to the drum and bass. Apparently they were just opening because who is there, none other then Nickey Blackmarket, shook his hand, told where we were from and spoke a bit. Nice guy, said he liked playing in Seattle. Anyhow I was really there for the records so I asked for the white labels. Well I did get a few, but apparently from about mid November to mid January all the presses shut down and NO new records are made. Bad timing for me, but I was able to score a few nice pieces and I met Nickey Blackmarket. Probably could have stayed around all day, but wanted to see more of London and I knew Kenya wouldn't have that. Went down to Waterloo international to find out about taking the Chunnel to Paris, but after pricing it and not knowing a lick of French except to say “do you want to sleep/study with me tonight” we decided it would be better to stick to what we already planned. Got our tickets to go to Stonehenge and went walking around again; Nothing striking.
The next two days were Christmas and boxing day, holidays I didn’t have any special feelings for, but the British sure do. The only things open are restaurants that are foreign, mostly Indian and Chinese foods. Not bad. I had the best Chinese food in my life at one place. Super nice, great service, great food, so good that we went back before we left for the states. So yeah boring days, we went walking around as the tube was even closed, but got to see many sights. Took lots of pictures. Christmas turned out to be really sunny, but cold, so dressed warm and walked around Hyde Park. Really nice days all around, just not much to do when everything is closed. Boxing day was another shopping day, found a few nice places but didn’t get anything. We went to the Dr. Martins store, that was very cool, I don’t wear docs, but if I did…and found some cool drum and bass oriented clothing shops, but our best find on this day was the Dockers store. We bought the coolest pair of Dockers I have ever seen. I love those pants so much I can hardly wear them, they are really cool(F5’s anyone). If you talk to the managers you can talk them down on everything. Naturally we did a bit. Kind of nice since it isn’t such a common practice in the states, and fun to, I guess a bit of a game really. Kenya felt we could have talked them down further…
Next day was pretty long, got up EARLY (4.00) to make the earliest train to Salisbury, where the Stonehenge is. By making special arrangements you are able to go and actually touch the stones, we had made these arrangements, but you have to get there at 7.00 before it officially opens, at 8.00, to the public. When we had gotten our train tickets we were told the earliest train to get there on the 27th would be at 7.30. Not good enough for us, but we ARE going. So we get to an exchange on the way to Salisbury and see a sign that says the train hours for the holidays are the normal weekday schedule, this meant if we caught the right train we would make it with plenty of time. We asked around and met the conductor of the train we wanted, he said yes this is the train you want and yes you will make it. YEEEES! We were pleased to hear this and immediately we find a seat on the train. Short time later we are in Salisbury at about a quarter to 7.00. Great timing! Grab some coco and a pastry and step out side the train station. Still dark out and it is frigid. Made quick work of the coco and meet up with a cabby who will take us to Stonehenge. Starts raining. Talking to the cab driver he says if we pay him 40 pounds he’ll stick around to take us back the scenic route. Sounds fine to me, just get us to Stonehenge. We get to the site which is on top of a hill and the wind is blowing, it’s raining, and super cold. We meet with some other people, who are freezing, and this little guy in about 20 layers of clothing and a bright fluorescent green parka and he reads out names off this list. Gives a speech on how if we start to feel to cold or anything to come right back and they will warm us up. He is wearing clothes “that will keep me warm to –20 degrees, yet I still get cold” so we all need to be mindful of how we are feeling and not get too cold. Also, don’t do this or that to Stonehenge and watch your step.
Following the paved trail that normal visitors are allowed to go on we got to the closest point and just stand there a moment knowing that we paid to actually touch it, but not sure since they do have it all fenced off if we should go off the trail. Another group of people come up and we all say, “all for one, right,” or something and we all cross over the fence. We looked around a bit to make sure they aren’t going come hall us off but relax when we notice that the little guy is just off in the distance watching us. Walking out to the stones the first thing that hit me was just how massive they really are. I mean they must be some thirty feet high, and the cap stones…ugh, I think me seeing it and touching it only created more questions. Anyhow the weather actually started to turn, rain slowed, sun started to peek out, didn’t get much warmed, but we got to spend a good hour out touching, photographing, videoing and just getting an up close look at the stones. Super impressive, spiritual and altogether awe inspiring.
It was kind of disappointing to see that some time “way back when,” people have carved their initials into the stones, but the whole experience was really cool. I think I touched every stone and got every picture that everyone has ever taken. I can’t say I felt anything from the stones, I don’t think I am in tune like that, but they were cold, wet, and rough. Obviously that thing had some important role…what?, will be the question forever I’m sure.
So we went back to the cab and the cabbie has kept it warm for us…super as we are freezing. The only problem I can think of other than the carvings in the stones is that they build the highways so close to it…you can hear the cars go buy on the roads.. back in the cab we start driving this scenic route and the guy is just talking about how the area was just a hot bed for all this activity and he takes us out to a place called Old Sarum. Interesting place, like Stonehenge only made of wood. We are still cold so we just get his explanation and keep going. Shows us a few more things and a little town outside of Salisbury that really does only have one traffic light, and then it is back to Salisbury. Ask him where we can go eat as he drops us in the center of town, then just go walking around a bit… nothing like London, but a nice little British town on the whole. Not much really to do, opted to save money and just go to the station and get back to London. Well, the train to London was rammed full of people and we had to stand for the whole damn ride back…, long but we looked out the window the whole time. Got back to London late, so we went to get a nap.
Got up a bit later and went to the high streets again, actually went to a mc donalds… we don’t usually. And went record shopping some more.(call me silly) got side tracked in HMV by some of the magazines. Really interesting more for shock value, but some were “normal”. Nothing to special, but one had a whole article and the guys were talking about their experiences on all these hardcore drugs. It was like coke, DTM, that damn frog from Brazil, and some other drug that they were all doing at once. Pretty unbelievable, but I used to always be fascinated by what people say about their trips and what there body goes through, those guys were CRAZY.
So after that we walked around some more, went to Trafalgar Square to see the tree, and went to Covent Garden. Covent Garden is a little shopping district that has this bookstore called MAGMA, which I had found out carries this book I had been trying to get for a while. It’s called “3d>2d” and it is a production of the Designers Republic. I have been into the Designers Republic’s work since they did album covers for “Sun Electric” and have always been interested in their style. So this book is a collection of that and now I have it. Well worth the trip in itself. Couldn’t explain the book if I tried, but it deals with the art of design and that sort of thing, really interesting to me. And yes it is art not just some book on design. Really great for our coffee table( ha ha) I was pretty pleased that they still had the book, as I had been told it was sold out and not being reprinted. Went walking onward and found a shoe store I had been hoping to find(I do have a thing for shoes) and bought the most cool pair of dress shoes I’ve ever owned. I should have bought two I find those shoes so comfortable and…anyhow, we went to a pub for some food. Had fish and chips and a pint of Guiness. A superb way to end the day and after eating we just went downstairs to the bar and had a couple drinks and chatted. On the way back to the hotel Kenya spotted a sign for the “Vagina Monologues” and decided we should go check that out later. Get back to the hotel and crash.
Next day we go to the British museum. This has to be the coolest building ever. Not just in structure, but they have “real live” mummies there. I had always wanted to see a real one and it was so worth it. We spent all day in that museum; the Egypt exhibit itself is breathtaking. Got to see the genuine Rosetta stone, and got to touch quite a few Egyptian structures. Also saw some great works of art and this huge library. Like I said we spent all day there and then afterwards we went for pub and grub again. No fish this time, but we met the classic bar drunkard. It was so funny because we could hardly understand with the accent anyhow, but he was so well done, and his teeth…I am so glad for the American dental system. Anyhow, that was entertaining, especially when I tried to order some American cocktails. Let’s just say I’ve never seen such an honestly quizzical look from a bartender before. It was funny, because he knows I was from the states and just had no idea what the hell I was talking about. Ended up just getting whisky and coffee. Went down to Kensington High Street and found a few shops we actually could find clothes we liked. FCUK was ok, and we have Urban Outfitters in Seattle, but they carry different brands, so we were able to pick up some interesting British fashions. Went to all kinds of other stores, but couldn’t find too much other British fashion that would work in the states….their taste is pretty different, more refined. Went to Virgin and got tickets for the True Playaz night and then went and unloaded in the room grabbed another quick nap which turned into sleep. That was a bummer, but we must have needed it.
The next day was a bit chill, got out and things, but nothing terribly exciting. The next day was new years so we did a bit of preparing as far as rest and things. Didn’t go shopping really, walked around and saw the London eye and walked all around the parliament buildings. We felt like we still might want to go to Paris, so we went to Waterloo again and as we were going we came a cross a sushi bar that has the sushi dishes on a conveyor belt, this was the first time I’d seen that. Interesting, but I don’t think I would like sushi so I just observed. Got the skinny on Paris and decided again not to go. Instead we went to the IMAX theatre. I always love to see movies in IMAX, I have been to every IMAX in every town I’ve been to that has one. I do have to say the Omnimax in Portland is the best though. Anyhow, that did a good job a killing time for us and so we went to club Coliseum for the Renegade Hardware New Years thing. It was pretty crazy, I was sporting my “Drum and Bass for a fucked up place” shirt and got all kinds of props for it. Kind of funny, I guess some people over there aren’t so serious about it Drum & Bass. Anyhow got super patted down, met some guys who were sharing their booze and went and had a good night. Saw Cause4Concern(Stu), Dylan, Optical, Fierce, Future Cut, Patife, Andy C, … a bunch of guys. Shook hands with as many as I could, but they were all like double booked for the night so a conversation was out of the question, but I wasn’t trying either. I was disappointed as Ed Rush never played. And I looked real hard, but couldn’t find any shows with Kemal or Rob Data. Anyhow, so the party was pretty mad, but when Andy C got up I swear everyone came in that damn room. It was nuts. I saw nothing but dubplates this night….Optical even brought some stuff off of CD. That was cool, but I would have liked to see Eddie Rush. Funny thing, I knew a friend of mine from here was going to be in London to visit his family, just so happens he comes to the Renegade party also. It was nice to see a familiar face, but at the same time I was trying really to get away. We talked a bit, but were both more interested in partying. I was really hoping to see some really great dancing, but I don’t think anyone in London can dance. Now I don’t want to sound rude, and I am no judge, but damn, I have to say they really couldn't dance in London.
Next day we slept most of the day, went out, but I think everyone else was resting up from the night before also, so we went to a little club and just chilled out a bit.
Next day we went back to the river and Big Ben and parliament and went to an exhibit of Salvador Dali’s work. Really cool and fascinating, a lot of sculptures that are from paintings he has done. Also a lot of pieces that I think most people probably aren’t used to seeing from Dali. It was a good exhibit and took a long time to see it all, you could even buy some of the pieces. I had left my 25,000.00 pounds in my other jacket otherwise I would have bought one, ha ha. Though it would be pretty cool to have one in my possession I would probably end up breaking it or something.
Went way out to zone 2 to an area called Highbury and Islington, this is a retro shopping place we had read about in “time out” and though would have something we would like. It did, but nothing my size. Oh well.
That night we went to the “Vagina Monologues” that was interesting. I think I learned something about women from that, but… it had some tragic stories and some peculiar stories and the readers were good, but I can’t say how it affected me, I laughed when it was funny and was horrified when it was horrifying.
Next day we go out to zone 2 again, but this time to Camden Markets. Now this is a place a person should go. It is this giant open air market with all these different vendors and things. I was really impressed while I was walking by some of the stalls and I see this guy in a camo jacket with his stereo blasting Drum & Bass. Naturally I talk to him, find out what’s up and where the good record stores are. He lets me know and is really cool. Kept walking around as the markets are massive, found some cool vintage stores, other record stores, club clothes stores, but still nothing strikes us as must haves. Start getting hungry and we’re walking when this smell hits us and we are instantly drawn to it. In the middle of this section of the markets is a booth with two people and two GIANT pans of vegetables cooking on them. Only some 3 pound for a helping of this stuff and we are loving it. Here are all the factors that made it so great: the smell, the taste, it was hot, we were cold, the people were super cool, we were there. What was it? I am not completely sure, but it was carrots, onions potatoes, garlic etc etc I can’t pick out all the things, but we ate it all and were so happy with that. mmmmmmm. Anyhow onward to the record store picked up some other gems.
That night is Movement at Bar Rumba so we went. It was PACKED. There is a line around the block, but we finally get in. Turns out Goldie is playing this night so we just dance and have a good time, Goldie plays some stuff, but I am more interested in socializing this night, so I do. Stick around all night, see some familiar faces from new years, (Future Cut), and close the place. Our cab driver was some guy who approached us outside the club. This is not the safest thing to do, but he seemed cool and we were anxious to get back to the hotel.
Get up late the next day, last day here, we’ve got to get everyone’s little gift. That takes all day that night we go back to that Chinese restaurant and have a great meal, got back to the room and try to make everything fit in our luggage. Up early the next day, cab to Victoria Station, train to Gatwick airport and on our flight. So many hours later and we are back.
