Heathrow

Did the check in at the Sheraton Skyline at LHR. The staff are wonderful, some of the best, and they commiserated with me over the Hoppa and all that rubbish. The Heathrow hotels used to have their own shuttles, then the beloved BAA put an end to all that and intro'd the Hoppa. We went from a large, comfy bus where the driver helped you with your bags to
a crummy, run down, very uncomfortable piece of something that they actually charge you for and the driver sits on his can. Too much.

Hell if you must deal with Terminal 4. The problem is I fly BA to Paris from Terminal 4, there ya go.

Many people in the Americas and Europe love to curse Heathrow. The problem is alot of British bashing gets snuck in the process and how can you argue with them? The French love to curse it, but CDG has a way to go, though I will give you, CDG doesn't do a Hoppa and train service like LHR, so one point for the French. Oh my.

Anyway, nice check in, sweet staff, this is what makes staying at LHR doable and I was excited to get this hotel on Priceline for $70 US. I just wasn't getting that at CDG, why I took another night at LHR. Also there was no way to connect straight to Paris or I would have. You arrive at LHR at 2030 hours.

Up to my big, comfy room with a huge king bed. Yummm Ordered room service with a club sandwhich, love England's clubs and some chips, or French Fries, I guess now Freedom Fries, LOL. ahhhhhhh

While waiting called home. Mom and I talked for a while. Had her call me right back and she was happy/relieved that I was out of Israel. I am surprised she let me go, to be honest. She fought me with South Africa and I gave in the 2nd time. I am glad someone cares. Hey, I did it, I wasn't blown up, and I accomplished something that I really needed to do. So thank you, though some thought I was nuts, hey, something I had to do.

Also talked with Brian a bit and he is doing better. Room service, tons of tv in English, you learn to appreciate that when you come back, you take it for granted while in the English speaking world.

I did watch some cool planes take off. From my room on the top floor facing the airport you get them as they start their roll for take off. Ironically, one of the flights is the late night BA to Tel Aviv. Keep it for now.

Lights out.

The next day was pretty simple and lazy and I had earned it. Not having had e-mail access, wasn't sure where I was with my friend in Paris. He was supposed to come, couldn't and I understood, though it would have been nice. It was hard to make plans with the unkown.

I watched planes, took several pics, ate the leftover from the last night, and packed, repacked. I still have to get my bags from the Marriott.

I was enjoying a scandal given to us on Sky tv, then all the stations. It took CNN world a while to pick it up. Apparently Blair had the UN leader's offices in London bugged, Koffi Annan, and then the you knew what hit the fan. I loved it. It was a scandal and it wasn't my President or my country or the dear Canadians getting nailed over some stupid Airbus sale.

I like Blair so I am with him but it was fun to watch, sorry. I have a feeling the UN was ticked and all kinds of goodies come out. Gotta love it.

Pack up and check out.

They watched my bag while I did a walkaround. They had a big conference, again, with stuffed shirts,ick, and stopped at the model shop and got out, too tempting and I am not spending any money I don't need to here, sorry. Oh this place is expensive.

My club sandwhich, phone calls, and whatever other incdentals cost about $70 US. I freaked. The card worked. The geniuses then charged me twice when I got home but we sorted it out. ....

I grabbed my suitcase and rolled it to the Marriott nextdoor. They watched it while I checked out the lounge, but my friend wasn't there. I did a quick tour. The porters here are very nice.
The reception staff are not, so deal with that.

They pulled out my bags and called a cab. Some guy, a fellow Yank, was heading to T 4, I told him to take a cab. I explained, trust me, it is worth it, he took the cab.

Even though I was short of pounds, I tipped this guy in US and some UK as he was so nice. I couldn't resist.

The cab took maybe 5 minutes, up Bath road, had to do a turn around, to the Le Meridien, near the entrance to Heathrow. 9 pounds, with tip, call it $20 US for going down the street.
I just can't afford England, sorry. I was later told that there is an 8 pound minimun for going between any hotels at Heathrow. God help them. Too much. I shook my head.

The porter at Le Meridien was wonderful. The kind of Britt you love. Very kind and watched the bags and I checked in. The check in staff are French. I griped about how expensive England is, she agreed, took a slight stab at the Britts, but politely and very subtly. She has to be careful. She said England is expensive for everyone, not just Americans. True.

I called over, as I did with all the hotels, asking for a high floor facing LHR. Done and done nicely. I actually stalled coming over here thinking the place would be a dump. Not so.

It has all been refurbished and is actually very impressive. My porter took me up to the room and I gave him what I could, apologizing profusely, he understood. Unfortunately, I was very short on those US $ I was using to tip.

The room was great, beautiful Continental bed with the big duvet/comforter. I love it.

Had to have someone come up to fix the drapes, which they pretty much dismantled. A weird drape design, couldn't move it, couldn't see out the window. The windows open!!

Fantastic view of the planes and the terminals. Finally had somewhat of a view of Terminal 3 where so many goodies come in.

I stood there and photographed planes all evening . I wore out the poor camera and had to search thorugh all the bags for batteries, the poor thing. I would open the windows, freeze, take pics, close, warm up.

It was great to get all the bags together again. Did packing, unpacking, and sorting. BA is going to kick my butt tomorrow. Long live elite status! Also long live the USA, that is what saved me really.

I was hungry, looked at the menu, they had high prices with that pound thing in front of it, yeah, too much.

So I walked to a pub across the street, I still have the menu, but I didn't like it, so down Bath road to McDonalds. America's ambassador to the world and I love it!

Even with McD's, in pounds, it really wasn't that cheap, but it tasted good.

Oh and the weather was freezing. It was biting cold. I stopped to look at a SAA Airbus depart and froze in the process. I debated going into my usual, the Rennaissance, but passed. I think this is the first time, without my family, I didn't stay there. They have the best view of the planes, but I love Le Meridien.
The rooms at the Renn. are British style shoeboxes, way too claustrophobic and I go nuts after one night, all I can take there.

Stopped at Texaco for some snacks and some water. Yes, I drink water, lot's of it, and
can never get enough.

Oh and I watched 'Who is the Weakest Link', the British version. I can't stand that woman. She is just as rude and obnoxious there in England as she is when she comes here to the States.

My favorite all time scene from this show was on the American version:
she asked a contestant who happened to a be guy from London, why did you leave London?
"to get away from women like you!" I loved it. I laughed so hard, the audience loved it, and it was a smash. Oh she drives me batty. She doesn't help England's reputation abroad, I can assure you! (itch)

Watched the Austrian tv show, Rex or something, he is an Austrian police dog on the German Sat 1 channel, I love that show, got hooked in Switzerland. The actors are different. I like the other guys they had, but great scenes of Vienna and you get to hear Austrian German. I wish that Sat Einz would do subtitles as they take shows from all over German speaking Europe.

Then lights out.