It finally happened! I was blessed with my first international trip and man was it a doozy.
I reported to JFK for standby, which meant I already had a chance at an international flight since that’s where they depart from. I reported at 1 p.m. and waited. And waited. And waited, listening to all these other flight attendants talk about where they were going for the night. I was jealous.
And then I get a page from the desk manager. “The number 2 hasn’t reported yet and says she’s still in the city. Go to gate six to help and if she shows up, come on back here.” “Where is the flight going?” “London.”
-Cut to me freaking out in the elevator-
The number two position is the main cabin galley. On a triple-7, that means you’re preparing more than 200 meals for passengers. In simple terms, it’s chaotic.
I told the crew I’d never worked an international trip, let alone the galley position, and thankfully they took mercy on me. It was a very overwhelming six-hour flight but I managed to only cry on the inside a few times and we made it to London mostly without incident.
After a four hour nap, I hit the streets and set off on my adventure.
I visited the Chelsea F.C. stadium first to snap some pictures and pick up some gear for a friend back home. There were tours going on but since it was already noon and the stadium was the opposite direction of where I wanted to spend the day, I decided against it.
Taking the tube back east, I didn’t have a specific destination or attraction in mind, I just wanted to wander a bit. I exited at Westminster near the London Eye. I followed the riverbank east, criss-crossing over the bridges until I got the Waterloo Bridge next to the National Theatre.
Crossing over the bridge going north, I ended up in Covent Garden which is like an outdoor shopping plaza. There were a lot of carts set up selling handmade goods and souvenirs, street performers in the square. It was a Thursday but the weather was beautiful so there were loads of people walking around and enjoying the day.
Eventually I found a spot for late-lunch called The Porcupine next to the Leicester Square tube station. As cliche as it is, I couldn’t resist the fish and chips with a pint of Guinness. I’m also convinced Guinness in Europe tastes better than Guinness in America.
With a full belly and tired feet, I took the tube back toward Kensington where we were staying. But of course, not before stopping at Harrods.
I knew Harrods was a high-fashion store, I wasn’t expecting the Ikea-ness of it; six or seven floors with departments you had to navigate through hallways. It was a bit overwhelming and knowing I wouldn’t be able to afford anything there, I went straight for the Harrod’s souvenirs section, found a Christmas ornament as a keepsake, and headed home.
Around 4 a.m., after about an hour of trying to fall back asleep, I decided to stop fighting the jet lag and just get up. I’m so happy I did. London is already a fairy tale, but seeing it in the early morning light can surely make someone fall even more in love with the city.
I snaked my way through Kensington Gardens, with the morning dew and crisp air, laughing to myself that I was actually walking around London when I had just been sitting in the crew room at JFK.
About four miles later, I found a Starbucks (I know, I know, but I needed the wifi) for breakfast. Note: for breakfast at U.K. Starbucks, you can basically have a grilled cheese sandwich and 10/10 I’d do it again.
Pickup was in the early afternoon so after my not-so-authentic British breakfast, I went back to the hotel and slept away the last few hours of this fairy tale trip.
AAdventure Seeker 