50 Thoughts After Traveling to London

I loved my time in England. In some way, it was good to come home. In others, I was sad to leave. And while I would love to share deep thoughts from my travels, I am pretty dang jet-lagged. Brain not working at full capacity.

So, I thought it might be interesting to look at some of the things I observed during our journey across the pond.

1. It is a miracle we can fly across the world as quickly and easily as we can. I think we forget just how mind-blowing it is, and we take it for granted.
2. Given that, it is also a complex system and just a tad fragile. A sick pilot, a small mechanical issue, and it all comes to a halt.
3. But for our safety, honestly. As it should.
4. We’ve become so used to things that are incredible; we find ourselves frustrated when the cracks show.
5. Malls are dying. I’m sure we’ve all seen it. But seeing vacant shops at The Mall of America really hammered it home.
6. Our roads are enormous. I mean staggeringly wide. For no good reason other than that’s how we made them.
7. Roads in England are not. They are narrow and winding, and it is shocking how cars move — in both directions — on them.
8. Given how wide our roads are, bike lanes are 100% possible here, without changing a thing other than painting the lines.
9. Public transit is reliable, straightforward, and a great way to get around London.
10. It is easy to forget just how new everything here in America is.
11. You can use the Uber app to book a boat and use the Thames to get around Central London. I mean, of course you can. But I just hadn’t ever thought about it until I did it.
12. For a major metropolitan city, London is stunningly walkable.
13. A traditional English breakfast isn’t really great, and much of it isn’t for me.
14. English food isn’t bad, but I didn’t find it to be really great, either.
15. Nachos in England are weird and not awesome (I didn’t think they would be), but in ways much different than you think they will be weird and not awesome.
16. Contactless payment is literally everywhere. The only reason I ever got cash was to tip tour guides. Everything else? Apple Pay.
17. The British Museum is amazing, huge, and also overwhelming.
18. The Rosetta Stone did not look at all like it did in my head, for some silly reason.
19. Babies in medieval and Renaissance art look freaking weird.
20. Art galleries can also be overwhelming.
21. Buckingham Palace is pretty boring-looking compared to other palaces. From the outside, at least.
22. Westminster Abbey holds so many centuries of history in it that the mind cannot comprehend.
23. It is also like the Tardis: it felt much, much larger on the inside.
24. There is an odd disconnect standing next to something you have seen in media your entire life (the Elizabeth Tower and Parliament). It felt surreal for a couple of days, honestly.
25. Stonehenge is much closer to London than I would have guessed.
26. It is also literally in the middle of fields with sheep all around.
27. And both more and less impressive than you might think. Smaller in size, but still incredible that it persists and was built.
28. We take for granted the ease with which we can be educated in modern times.
29. There are people who will nerd out, hardcore, about anything. Find those people who are nerds for similar things, and you can have endless fascinating conversations.
30. People have been doing horrible things to other people to gain power, or remain in power, for pretty much ever.
31. Sadly, we haven’t overcome that tendency as a species.
32. Books are awesome. Buy more, read more.
33. History isn’t boring. I used to think it was. I was wrong.
34. People in London were very kind, polite, and considerate of others.
35. Even surrounded by so many people, I didn’t see anyone being rude or causing trouble with other people. Maybe we could learn from that. It was almost like everyone remembered: we are all in this together; it’s worth it to be kind.
36. Ice water at restaurants, which is continuously refilled, is a beautiful thing. And something I took for granted, until it wasn't the norm.
37. No, twist caps on bottles of soda don’t come off all the way, and you’ll have a bad time of it if you try to pull them off. At least without drinking it all first.
38. It isn’t rude to catch the waiter’s attention and ask them to bring the check. They are giving you time to sit and relax.
39. But you will absolutely have to let them know you would like the check. It will not be brought until you ask for it.
40. Toilets in England are small. Weirdly small.
41. Yorkshire puddings are, well, weird. And it makes the word pudding, as used there and here, seem even more weird.
42. Sausage rolls are pretty good. Probably my favorite English food I tried. But still didn’t blow me away.
43. Opera is the pinnacle of the performing arts: set design and costumes, music, acting, and singing. It can be transcendent.
44. And while many people think it isn't for them, trust me, see it performed by skilled people, live, and then let's talk.
45. La Bohème will break your heart. Even when you know how it ends. Still is a gut punch.
46. Hadestown will also break your heart. Even when you know what is coming.
47. Live theater is special. It really is.
48. A 1-mile walk, at 10 pm, back to your hotel just doesn't feel scary in London.
49. Weetabix is bad. Like, really bad and mushy and tasteless.
50. Coming home is hard. And good. But also hard.