Kimba and Sayra Tour London. No Arrests Made.

Bright and early Tuesday morning Kimber, Neha and I headed to Victoria Station to begin our all day total London experience tour. It is light very early here so it didn't seem as early as it was - and it WAS early. Just ask any member of the Visvadia famiy who got up to make sure we had tea before we left. Neha walked us to the bus station which is only about 3 blocks from where we are staying. She rode with us to the Hendon Central tube station and got us on the right line for Victoria. We have Oyster cards, making it so easy to travel. We put money on the cards and then just "tap" the card when we go into the station and again on the way out and the cost of the trip is deducted.

From Victoria Station, we had directions to the headquarters of Golden Tours. We got checked in and loaded into a big bus. There were about 40 people on the tour from all over the world. The most obnoxious were from Canada and New Jersey! Good news is that Kimba and I were calm compared to most of the other travelers.

Our guide was Leslie who didn't seem to mind making up stuff that she didn't know. I am not sure the English history she shared will be found in any history book!

In my previous travels to London, I have always used the tube to get around so I haven't seen much of above-ground London. I made up for that on Tuesday! The traffic is miserable; wall to wall people, cars, buses, bikes, scooters, motorcycles. But, it's LONDON!

We drove by all the main London sights - Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Kensington Palace, 10 Downing Street, etc. etc. then made our first stop at Buckingham Palace where we saw the Changing of the Guard. Kimba and I laughed because it was called a "wet change" because of the rain - making us think about our kids and diapers! Back on the bus, we went to St. Paul's Cathedral. (Sing along now, Feeeeeeed the birrrds...) We traced the steps of Diana Spencer's enormous train and couldn't help but think about what that day was like in this massive, ornate environment. We also laughed at a pair of cheeky young fellows on our tour. When you arrive, everyone reminds you that this is a house of WORSHIP and you must treat it as such. Then once inside, we glanced down through these large, lacy heating grates in the cathedral floor to see ... people eating pie in a restaurant located in the basement CRYPT. Yes, yes, you must not defile our house of WORSHIP the college boys whispered... |Next, we were whisked off to the West End where we had lunch in a pub Kimba is now taking over with a nice couple from Michigan who were living temporarily in Germany. Lots of chatting, laughing and food talk. Afterward, we took a stroll about Covent Gardens, listening to a young string ensemble delight the crowds. Back aboard, we were off to the Tower of London and great views of the Thames River and the Tower Bridge -- so many visual icons in one spot! Lots of information about beheaded queens and traitors and so many levels of history in one spot. We happened to be on hand to observe the changing of the Guard at the Tower, then queued up to see the Royal Jewels, including grand crowns and The Royal Orb, and the Crown of India, which was made up and worn just once by King George for his tour of India. We had to stop and pay homage to the beheaded queens at a square where most of the beheadings took place -- were a little freaked out that there was a public drinking fountain located there that required you to, well, bend over, bow your HEAD and get a drink...
The day was an orgy of ancient architecture -- we soaked in so much and loved the feeling of touching mossy old stones that were older than the city itself. We finally said goodbye to the ravens (a mascot at the Tower, they actually raise them in cages -- it is said that when the ravens leave the Tower of London, it is an awful omen for the city) we sauntered down to the Thames and hopped aboard a boat for a short turn up the River to the London Eye, a massive Ferris Wheel with encapsulated cars that give you a slow, wonderful turn above the city. By this time, it was nearly 6 p.m. and the clouds that had scudded above us all day were breaking, bathing the city in a warm, lovely light. We enjoyed the view, took lots of photos and scouted a path back to the Tube. All over London, we had seen brightly painted statuary of small elephants that were meant to draw attention to the plight of the Indian elephant -- sort of the way that U.S. cities have public art installations or decorated horses/cows all over town. London is such a fun blending of the old and the new -- old traditions, cathedrals, statues, etc... and a young energy and smattering of wild architecture -- a skyscraper painted zebra stripes, a mirrored building that looks approximately like a pickle appropriately dubbed The Gherkin, etc...
We hustled home on the Tube at peak rush hour smelling like goats -- sorry London -- and were warmly welcomed back at the Vasavadia party, which was in full swing. Kanchan made sure we had a warm plate of incredible food -- a potato curry in a tomato sauce, small puffs made of black-eyed peas, great relishes, and an incredible sweet that had pistachios in it -- wow. We hurried in to join the evening singing, which the girls had turned into a game reminiscent of hot potato -- they tossed a pillow about and whoever caught it had to sing a song that began with the same syllable as the last one that was played on the CD player. Much laughter and Sara and I were required to sing Georgie Girl and Home on the Range and the KSU Fight Song. The evening ended with the men being drawn into the fun with a musical throwdown. The ladies would start a song, the men would have to respond with a song that began with the same syllable. Hilarity and friendly competition ensued! Highlight: Grandfather warbling a lovely song that the young girls clearly didn't recognize. 1942 Love Song! He explained.

Sayra back So......Wednesday is Paris and we have to be at the station at 5:45. NO ONE is happy about that. No. One.

We Made It and the Wedding Celebration Begins.

Kimber and I met in Chicago on Sunday. She was waiting for me when my delayed flight arrived. I would have recognized her anywhere! We picked up where we left of 25 years ago by having a drink in an airport bar!

We boarded our plane and the trip was officially begun. We watched movies and the flight map for most of the trip. Kimber started watching Slumdog Millionaire so she could learn the Jai Ho dance. Unfortunately, the battery ran out before she could get up and dance in the aisle of the plane. Wait a minute...that should probably be "fortunately"!

We arrived in London about 6:30 a.m. on Monday. We went through Immigration which has taken me literally hours before. However, on Monday, there were NO lines and we walked up to an agent who stamped our passports and sent us on our way. It was unbelievable.

I told Priya that we would not be through Immigration and have our luggage for an hour, and not to come get us until 8:00. So, while we waited for Priya and her dad, we talked to a couple from Kent who had just returned home from holiday in China. They had interesting tales to tell. Before we knew it, Priya was standing in front of us at the airport. She looked radiant and it was so good to see her!

We went back to Priya's house where we learned that there was a change in our lodging accommodations. We would be staying with a wonderful Indian woman about 3 doors down from Priya. We had a bit to eat then we took a nap. Said nap was 6 hours long!

When we woke up we went back to Priya's for supper. The food was authentic Indian: eggplant curry, saffrone rice, chipata (NOT spelled correctly - it was like a tortilla), some various chutneys.

The women, 3 generations of them, sat on the floor of the living room and sang songs in Hindi (gujarati). All the furniture had been moved into storage and the living room floor had big pillows and carpet squares for the women to sit on. They were dressed in fabulous saris and other kinds of traditional Indian dress.

The songs they sang were invitations to Priya and Chet's wedding and other songs asking for blessings on the couple. Kimber and I were able to join in sometimes because the songs were very repetitive. Several women would tell us what was going on.

Then, the younger girls started singing more contemporary songs and they played a game where one song was sung and then the next song had to start with the last letter of the previous song.

Priya said "Mom, we need a song that begins with 'J'" I, of course, said "Jai Ho!|" Everyone laughed and started to sing it. Then, they said "Now we need a song that begins with 'k'". I said, "Kumbya" and this room full of Hindu women burst out in song, singing Kumbya! One of the younger girls told Kimber and I that they knew all kinds of "Jesus" songs!

The party continued until 10 when they sang a song about sleeping eyes, handed out a small sack of sugar to us and we headed back to our beds. We were ready for a long night of sleep.

What a wonderful experience this has already been. Priya's family has been wonderful to us - so kind and patient and loving. We are truly made to feel welcome by this entire community.

Tuesday is London.

Background for Perspective

So, I was thinking as I was folding the laundry, weighing my bags (that's right, bagS. So sue me.), and wondering what I was forgetting, that this Kimber/Kimba person is something of an enigma to many of your reading this blog. Since you won't/can't fully understand the magnitude of the next 10 days until you know the whole story, let's tell it, shall we?

The year was 1985. I had just graduated from law school. Luke was 3. We moved to Dodge City and lived one block west of my mom on La Mesa. Dad was the district judge.

Kimber was the Hutchinson News Dodge City Bureau Chief. She was a recent graduate of Kansas State University and native of Wichita.

It must have been a slow news day because Kimber called and asked to do a story about me practicing law in my dad's district. Something clicked that day between us and we became fast friends.

We shared many, many laughs. Here are a few: while house sitting at my dad's (read: drinking his alcohol, eating his food and swimming in his pool), we called the PTL Club and made a sizable pledge in Donie's name. Of course we provided his name and address. Apparently, he got reminders to pay and follow up letters for quite some time afterwards. Then there was the time that I represented her in city court in Garden City (She did NOT run that stop sign. No. She did NOT. The police officer was clearly visually impaired. Blind as a bat. Not paying attention.). Kimber was found guilty but no fine imposed because her defense was so entertaining. As was her attorney. Or what about when we "helped" with a murder mystery weekend at the Cimarron Hotel, had too much to drink, one of us went skinny dipping in a farm pond (A FARM POND!) while the other one laughed when the cops came. Might I add at this point that I have never laughed so hard? Until I cried, that's how hard.

We took Luke to Colorado one summer and stayed in the Smith cabin in Green Mountain Falls. On that trip, we went to the ladies' room at the Broadmoor Hotel and were so impressed with the linen hand towels that we thought we needed a picture of them. Never one to be without a camera, I got ready to take the shot, when a drunk woman came in. She wanted in the photo, so I have a picture of Kimber, linen hand towels and some strange drunk woman. I think the poor drunk is still trying to convince people that she really had her picture taken in the bathroom that night!

I moved on to Ottawa University and Kimber moved to Oregon and we lost touch with each other. During the intervening years, we both lost our fathers, got married, I continued to raise Luke and she had 2 daughters.

When I started at Kansas State, I was going through files and found a KSU Collegian (the student newspaper) article about a bad rental property written by, you guessed it, Kimber Williams. That was in 2002. Seven years later, Kimber found me and I'll see her for the first time in 25 years tomorrow.

I can't think about Kimber without thinking about laughing and giggling and snorting and laughing and guffawing and laughing. Sometimes while sober. She and I are alike in many ways, not the least of which is that we have never met a stranger. I'm telling you, there is a book in here somw

Oh yeah. This trip has success written all over it.

Sing With Me: "Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I Love You, Tomorrow"

It's here! We leave tomorrow and by this time on Monday, we'll be asleep in London!

Last minute craziness has set in:

Lost digital camera.
Found digital camera.

Thought all the stuff I ordered was in.
All the stuff I ordered will arrive on Tuesday.

Counted days I will be gone.
Counted number of pairs of underpants without holes.
Went to Target.

Planned to cook and freeze meals for Curtis and Luke.
Decided they're grown.

Thought I could get all the laundry done before noon.
Thought again.

Don't you just love getting ready for a trip?

Two Days! OMG!

My list of things to do is shrinking. My final mail order has arrived. My new glasses are being fitted tomorrow. The planets are aligning and all is well with the world. (okay, okay, except for that whole oil in the Gulf of Mexico thing, and the North/South Korea tension, and the fact that Sam Brownback will probably be the next Governor of Kansas...oh, guess all is not well with the world) - -let's say all is well with MY world!

Wonder if Kimba and I will recognize each other in the airport in Chicago? Listen carefully on Sunday afternoon, you'll hear the screaming and laughing and the collective gasp of all the other passengers on that plane. I dare anyone to try to sleep while Kimba and I are "catching up".

Tomorrow is Friday...then Saturday....then SUNDAY!

Oh yeah, the days are ticking right along. All I have left to do is: EVERYTHING! My clothes and my suitcase(s) are at least in the same room. Isn't that a start? Other than losing the 45 pounds I've promised to drop before the wedding, I'm good to go.

Talked to Kimba today while she was on the way to the airport to pick up her mom, Betty, who flew in from the West (i.e. Wichita - that's in Kansas, you know). Betty offered to help with the kids in Kimba's absence. Sounds like Kimba is ready to go - although she says she's had at least one nightmare where she dreamed that she lost her ATM card while traveling. She woke up and immediately looked in her wallet. Whew. It was still there.

We agreed today not to use our Mommy Voices on the trip. At least not on each other! I give that agreement about 20 minutes. My bet is that she'll use it first. I'm not sure where my Mommy Voice is, unless it's right there next to the Student Legal Services Attorney voice.

Stay tuned for all the fun and laughs. Pictures promised. Book considered.

It's June!

Yesterday, on Memorial Day, I went to Topeka with my mom, Curtis and Luke. We went to the cemetery and then out for lunch. I also stopped at Barnes and Noble to get maps of Paris. (Paris!! We are going to freakin' PARIS!)

We all got back in the car and I started looking at the maps. Before I could stop myself, I heard my voice say "Huh. All the names of places on this map are in French." No shit. Names of places in France are in French? Who knew? Should someone call France and tell them I'm coming for a visit?

Talked to Princess Diane (my friend in Oxford) who is shopping for a sari for Priya's wedding. Diane will meet us there, then we'll stay with her for several days before heading home.