The 2001 trip begins: 6 Hours in London

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Through London to Marrakech, Portugal and the Madeira Islands 

June 2001: London, Marrakech, Portugal, Madiera
June 2001: London, Marrakech, Portugal, Madiera

This was to be a trip for all the senses… For the eyes–Moorish influences, crayon box of colors, repetitive artwork and script (trance or mania?), cork oak and olive trees.  For the nose–spices, oranges, jasmine, mint, cedar.  For the ears–Fado music and the calls to prayer.  For the taste buds–Portuguese wine, Madeira port, and Moroccan mint tea.  And for the skin–sun’s warmth, henna’d hands, stones, glass & tiles sanded smooth in the sea.  But first…the three weeks begin with 6 hours in London…

Six hours in London

We arrived from Chicago on Thursday 5/24 into Heathrow around 10 a.m.

It was a longish layover, so we took the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station…then on the Hammersmith & City Line to Liverpool Street, and a ten minute walk down Bishopsgate Street to meet our friend, Robert for a pub lunch at Simpsons.  We sat upstairs in a tight old wooden booth…a smoke filled room. After lunch, we three headed down to a sunny courtyard for beer and wine. As we sat around the keg table–we debated the age old travel question–“When are you really there? When does it count?” On the ground in the airport? Staying a night? Eating a meal? Exchanging $ for …?

We had to be back at Heathrow by 2:30 for our 4 p.m. flight to Marrakech…so did London “count”?

Robert & Bryan
Robert & Bryan