Cheers, London!

This evening I ran to the store for a few things and pondered a bit about our time here.  It has been a magical and grand adventure.  When we arrived I was really nervous about navigating the city, even walking on the streets in the area we are living in.

Today I thought about how much freedom I now enjoy by being here.  I really believe travel breeds freedom.  It is a freedom from fear.  I wouldn't say I'm prejudiced against people of different races or religions but I can't say I'm not affected by the stereotypes and stigmas that surround me at home.  The first time I walked to the store, I was so nervous about all the different people passing me on the street.  I was worried about my safety, though it wasn't really founded on anything valid, just I didn't know this place.  I saw the stereotypes and not the people.

This evening I walked home a bit slower than usual and enjoyed the distinct smell of Ballards Lane.  It is a bit like grilled chicken and tandoori spice.  I enjoyed the varieties of languages and accents spoken by those who passed me.  Tonight, I saw people, men and women going about their lives and doing their best to be the best people they can be.  The fear I initially felt was gone, replaced by a genuine love for this place we have called home for the past three weeks.

In addition to those thoughts, selfishly, I have loved this trip.  As a kid, I loved reading myths and legends, actually I still do.  King Arthur was a favorite.  In college, I spent at least two semesters studying early British literature.  As I walk through these spaces, there is a palpable feeling of history and things greater than just me.  I feel a connection to these places and these people.  In part it is because they are a part of who I am, both through my studies and through my ancestral connection to this land.  In just these past three weeks, I have grown in so many ways and I think our children have grown as well.  Their world is larger and hopefully so is their understanding.

Tomorrow, we'll hop in a car and wind through the countryside to see more of this rich British History.  In a week we'll take the ferry to Ireland where the next phase of our adventure begins.  Off we go!

Platform 9 3/4 and Portobello Road

Friday we decided it was time to venture back into the city after being somewhat confined with the broken arm stuff.  The kids really wanted to stop by Platform 9 3/4 of Harry Potter fame so we stopped there.  We waited in the queue for about 30-45 minutes so I could take a picture with the trolley halfway through the wall.  Waiting with five kids isn't my favorite thing to do but I'm glad we could do something for the kids.  After that we stopped into the Platform 9 3/4 store for some Bertie Bott's Every Flavored Beans and jelly slugs.  There were scarves and uniform pieces for every house at Hogwarts, necklaces, hair bows and all sorts of other paraphernalia.  It was quite silly and superfluous but it was also fun.  The kids had a good time.

Waiting in line.

After lunch at King's Cross station we decided to make our way to the famous Portobello road.  We go there in good spirits.  Everyone was ready to see all the goods and fun things to buy since I had given them all 5 pounds to spend for the day.  We walked down the street a bit and couldn't really see anything.  We looked around and still didn't see or hear anything like a huge market.  We decided to head back to the tube station so we could make it home before Hyrum arrived.  We stopped into a few shops on the way and had a good time.  Hannah and Jonathan bought London coin purses to store their riches in.

We made it home in good time but unfortunately Hyrum got stuck behind a lot of people at passport control and consequently didn't get back to our flat until 5 pm.  It was nice to be all together again.