The Agony and Ecstasy of Travel

The experience of flying in a cramped Icelandic airplane for 5.5 hours can be less than gratifying. No longer do they ply you with a lovely meal and refreshing beverage. The seats are created for narrow hipped, stubby legged beings who have been trained to sit straight up while still able to sustain a restful sleep. I am not one of these odd creatures. I am the one who spends exhausted minutes, then hours, watching the tiny representation of our plane creep slowly across the Atlantic on the minuscule screen in front of me. So reclined is said seat that I can see the dandruff specks on the considerate fellow's head as it grazes my lap! Needless to say, I arrived in London Heathrow feeling unrested and frankly cranky. Fortunately we packed lightly because the journey from Heathrow to Paddington station went smoothly. The glitch was attempting to purchase an Oyster Pass( the card that gives you discounts on tube rides). After standing in one long line, both my credit cards were rejected for exceeding their limits. Did I buy a luxury car I had forgotten about? After waiting in another queue that was so long you'd have thought the Beatles were in town, the kind gentleman behind the glass secured the tickets with ease. They say not to take a nap when you arrive so you can adjust to the time change, so we conked out, like the dead, for two hours. Rising a tad refreshed, I noticed our WC ( bathroom in British speak) was so tiny, that my knees kissed the door when I was sitting on the loo. The shower would be perfect for Olive Oyl with her svelte figure. KO and I opted to stroll in the brisk night air to our predetermined restaurant choice, Mildred's in Soho. What stood out for me was the luxurious Royal Theater in Coventry Garden. Commissioned as The Royal English Opera House in 1880 and designed by Edward Collcutt, the building is a site to behold. Currently the awning at the entrance is graced by a plethora of colorful umbrellas and a cardboard fellow "Singing in the Rain." Passing rowdy crowds of drinkers spilling out of the pubs of Soho, we arrived at Mildred's. Mildred's did not disappoint, although the other diners made it necessary to have a megaphone to hear your dinner partner. Every item is marked vegan, vegetarian or gluten free. Brown rice and steamed veggies are staples. Our dinner consisted of a tagine of chickpeas, squash and onions over a bed of tasty couscous. The bright green broccoli, golden leeks and al dente green beans were a welcome sight for sore eyes as I had not met my quota of veggies for 24 hours. A traditional mixed mushroom, porcini and ale pie with mushy peas completed our meal. For dessert, we allowed ourselves to indulge in the moist pomegranate laden polenta cake with quenching mint tea. Around eleven pm, KO and I ambled along still spirited crowds toward our inn. KO stopped to enthusiastically take a photo of a billboard promising one hundred naked girls as I firmly tugged him away from the entrance and toward restful slumber.