I didn't want to go to London, but the travel agent said I had to.
--"It's one of the conditions of your ticket."
--"Why?"
--"You're flying British Airways. You must have one stop in London."
--"But I've already been to London. Can't I go to Paris?"
--"You can go to Paris as well, but you have to go to London."
--"Is there a ticket that won't take me through London?"
--"Yes, but it's about $1000 more."
So I decided to go to London. But I knew how expensive it was from my last trip and that it had gotten worse since then. My plan was to minimise my time there, lie low like a stealth bomber going underneath the radar, and not let the enemy deplete my modest funds.
Europe is like another planet where you get better quality for a higher price. London is a different plane of existence where you pay triple, but things are still shite. Basic things like transport, food, and accommodation are so costly that even other Britons think London is another country.
I'd planned an uneventful 'treat-London-as-my-transit-lounge' kind of stay. But that wasn't to be, for two great reasons.
Firstly, William was kind enough to put me up for 3 nights. I crashed on his floor, but not once did he step on me. It would have been too easy for him to retaliate for me making him eat Impala-Jerky (Biltong), so I admire his restraint. I nearly got thrown out of his building into the damp cold 3 times in one day by security. I was waiting to be let in to his room when he wasn't there. I was dirty, tired, with my heavy bags, and a wad of toilet paper jammed up my bottom. (Those damned escargots!)
William came to my rescue when I called him from the payphone. Following his directions to the spare key was like playing a cloak-and-dagger computer game: 'Sneak into toilets. Enter the right-most cubicle and lock the door. Stand on the bowl. The key should be on top of the partitions. Take key. Cross hallway (avoid guards). Use key on door. Enter room. End of level.'
Secondly, Nga showed me around town on St Patrick's day. The luck of the Irish was with us and the weather was good. (In London?!) I got taken to see Holland Park, the Camden Markets (those earrings look di-viiine), St Paul's Cathedral, and her groovy flatmates. (Girls, them chocolate cupcakes sure gave good lovin'.)
To pay homage to St Pat, I took part in the Parade, (isn't everyone supposed to be Irish on St Patrick's Day?) and drank Guinness with William. It certainly tastes better with good company.
London was more than just a gap between highlights, and it's all thanks to Nga and William. I wasn't expecting much, but I'm so very glad I went. You guys have food, drink, and crash-space waiting for you in Adelaide.