Being both from Michigan, Sunil and I met in flight on the way to London and shared a cab ride into town. George our cabbie was more than happy to spill the beans over local politics and out-of-control inflation. Rather sooner than later he was going to "give it up" and move to France where things are so much better! The forty-minute cab ride took almost an hour as the British host took us on a generous sightseeing tour by way of Wimbledon, to show off this world-renowned tennis haven! He maneuvered skillfully through the crowded narrow streets of this picturesque little town, contrasted by its massive stadiums in final renovation for the upcoming annual tennis tournament. George yakked non-stop about cricket and horse races of which I knew nothing, but his dry British humor made for an entertaining ride. At long last we reached the Tower hotel where, with a big smile, he dropped us off at the front door lobby!
While in London, the weather was glorious and perfect for running. The mornings were cool and crisp with clear skies and little or no wind. Sunil and I ran with the early birds, starting out at the Tower Bridge, along side the river Thames, passed the St. Paul’s Cathedral, and somehow from there found our way back to the hotel. We wove in and out of pedestrian traffic, and occasionally ran a red light, in pursuit of a decent workout. Refreshed after our running excursion, back at the hotel, an elaborate and nutritious spread of English breakfast awaited us.
While in London, the weather was glorious and perfect for running. The mornings were cool and crisp with clear skies and little or no wind. Sunil and I ran with the early birds, starting out at the Tower Bridge, along side the river Thames, passed the St. Paul’s Cathedral, and somehow from there found our way back to the hotel. We wove in and out of pedestrian traffic, and occasionally ran a red light, in pursuit of a decent workout. Refreshed after our running excursion, back at the hotel, an elaborate and nutritious spread of English breakfast awaited us.
The announcement ceremony on the top floor of the Tate Modern was an exciting and celebratory affair. Each runner, while running up on stage, was introduced to the media, by Dame Kelly Holmes, gold medallist of the 2004 Athens Olympics. Cameras clicked away and several media interviews were arranged. After the reception the running team, dressed in blue training suits, moved outdoors where additional photo-shoots by the river with the magnificent St. Paul’s as backdrop, captured some great glamour shots with miss Kelly. The next morning at the crack of dawn I was on “ontbijt radio”, for a life Dutch radio show, and by mid-morning was jet setting my way home via Gatwick airport, charmingly named after a goat farm, formerly located on the site of today’s Great Britain’s second busiest gateway to the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment