Mum.

She has already come and gone. 

A week ago today she was still packing, and now she's already on her way home. 

My mom, that is. 

I met her at London Heathrow Airport last Friday when her flight arrived. It was her first airplane ride solo, and I was very impressed that it was her idea to come visit me by herself. 

After introducing mom to my neighborhood and getting her luggage put away in my apartment, we wasted no time and set out for Oxford Street. (a.k.a. My favorite shopping spot in London). We spent the afternoon shopping and spending my hard-earned London pounds. After a bit I could tell mom was winding down -- probably a mixture of jet-lag, travel, and just being sleepy Ann -- so I suggested we head back to my 'hood, Queen's Park. I made my favorite Indian dish for dinner and we went to bed semi-early. 

Saturday included a boat ride to the area of London known as Greenwich. It's home to the National Observatory and Prime Meridian Line, as well as the National Maritime Museum and some cool markets. Of course we did some shopping at the markets before climbing a very steep hill to the National Observatory. There we took pictures straddling the Prime Meridian Line, and beaming at the fact that we were so cool to be standing in the Eastern AND Western Hemispheres at the same time. 

The boat ride back to central London was sunny and pleasant. We departed the boat at Westminster Pier and walked across the river to the London Eye (Ferris Wheel) where we purchased tickets and started standing in the rain to wait in line. That's when I spotted one of my BUNAC friends (Matt from Kentucky). Matt works the London Eye security and he moved us up to the front of the line. Friends in high places can never hurt. :)  The rain continued, but within minutes of boarding the Eye an awesome rainbow appeared in the sky. It was a terrific way to end a great day.

We rose early Sunday morning to catch a train to Canterbury, England, located approximately 90 minutes east from the center of London by train. During our ride we met two goofy British guys who were drinking and trying to get us to sit and chat with them on the train. I pointed to mom a few rows down the train and said, "I better not. I'm sitting with my mom, she's visiting from the States." I pointed to mom and she waved. I hoped this would be enough for them to let me get away. Instead, they replied, "Oh, bring Mum down. We'd love to meet American Mum." I just laughed and made up an excuse about us needing time for mother-daughter bonding. They nodded and seemed to understand. 

Normally I'm thrilled to meet random people during my travels, but I wasn't keen to introduce mom to two guys who were already drunk on a train at 11:00 a.m., Sunday.  Classy. 

Canterbury was lovely. Small pedestrian-only streets lined with cute shoppes and pubs. We made our way to Canterbury Cathedral, the primary reason for our trip. I've seen quite a few cathedrals in my day -- thanks to British Studies field trips and independent travel -- but Canterbury Cathedral is among my favorites. If the stunning architecture and stained-glass windows weren't enough, consider the cathedral's history:  It was here in 1170 that Archbishop Thomas Beckett was murdered by "order" of King Henry II. (The sword marks are still visible in the stone floor). As a result, Beckett was declared a martyr and Canterbury was considered a holy place where people made pilgrimages. And thus, a little poem was written about the pilgrimages.... You may have heard of it:  The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey Chaucer. 

Monday consisted of more London shopping and sightseeing. That evening we had a nice steak dinner in Piccadilly Circus before heading to the Piccadilly Theatre to see the musical Grease. It was great, and I think mom really enjoyed it too. We found it humorous that occasionally the British actors' true accents would come out and overpower the American accents they were supposed to be projecting. My Australian friend Olivia was also viewing the musical that night, so mom was able to meet her. Mom also met my friend Kyle (Denver, Colorado) because he works at the Piccadilly Theatre. On our way home we stopped by The Chandos Pub near Trafalgar Square so mom could meet yet a few more friends: Jenny (Minnesota) and Londoners, Christine and Louise. 

Are you still with me? 

I know, it's hard to believe we accomplished all of this in just four and a half days!

Tuesday was our final day and we started it with a Big Bus Tour. You know, so mom could see everything one last time. The tour went all around and through the city: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Westminster, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the list goes on...  We got off at Buckingham Palace and walked around Green Park and on to see Big Ben again. We jumped on the tour bus again and rode it to Harrod's where mom purchased a few things for herself. We took the Tube home so Mom could begin packing. 

We got up at 3:45 this morning (Wednesday) so we could catch the 4:40 bus to Paddington Station where we caught the 5:10 train to Heathrow Airport where mom checked in for her 7:45 flight to Chicago. Phewwww. I'm exhausted. 

It's now 9:15 a.m. here in London. Mom is (fingers-crossed) safely on her way over the Atlantic Ocean now heading for Holland, Indiana. And I, well I am on my way to a glorious nap. 

x Ash