Skip to main content

The European Chronicles - 6/9/14

Day Fourteen. 

London, England.

We slept passed 7:00am for the first time in two weeks today and it felt tremendous. Who knew sleeping until 8:45am would feel like such a luxury? Regardless, on our final full day in Europe, why not sleep a little bit? We've been focused on attempting to maximize our time ever since we crossed the pond so much that it becomes very easy to overlook allowing ourselves some rest and relaxation before the grind of reality returns. 

After a big breakfast, probably the best we've had on this journey, we ventured again around London with our maps looking to take in parts of the downtown area. First, we made our way over to the Natural History Museum where we took in the cool building, because after all, this trip has turned me into an architecture and art expert. Also, we were able to see dinosaurs! Yes, I meant that exclamation point because what is cooler to see in a museum than dinosaurs? 

We then made our way via the tube to take in other wonderful sites of London including the London Bridge (which is so disappointing), the Millennium Bridge (very cool), the London Tower (very iconic, and I see why), and other parks, areas, buildings, and stretches in downtown London. 

This was followed up with a walk over to Regent Street to take in some more of London's famed shopping area, more of the culture, the people, and of course, we found more gelato. Yup, gelato. Man, I miss the stuff. I'm not sure what I am going to do when I get back to the States. Again, I can't eat ice cream ever again. 

There were plans to see some of the Premier League Soccer stadiums, yes, more sports business and management geekiness stuff, but they are all spread out too far across parts of London. However, I could see Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea FC, from my hotel view. Maybe when we return we'll take a tour - possibly, when the EPL is in season. 

Here are some photos from today's adventure. Click to enlarge.


















All in all, London is fantastic. 

And well, Italy was outstanding. 

This two week journey in Europe has been amazing and memorable. We head back to the States tomorrow where I plan to wrap up this series for good. 

For now, I am off to enjoy our last night here in London as we hit the local pubs for some brews and dinner. 

Recently Read

Quick Ponder: Man Love

"A man is only loved under the condition that he provide something"  - Chris Rock  Feeling that these days,  with the understanding  of privilege,  and responsibility. 

The Pondering 10 - Wrestling Roster Moves (2024)

2024 was a great year for pro wrestling. So many things are going on, and so many options for whatever you enjoy. For me, pro wrestling felt fun again, especially as my son is now all about the special art form as well.  As 2024 comes to a close, and I begin placing together the traditional posts in the "Most Fascinating Things" and the "Year in Review", I felt it would be fun to drop a new Pondering 10.  In this one, I take a look at the overall landscape of pro wrestling, and fantasy move a wrestler to another company. Again, this is my list. For all of the company tribalists, don't come at me! All in fun!  With that said, here is my Pondering 10:  10. Jonathan Gresham to NWA Gresham's style is unmatched. The dude is old-school and can make technical wrestling look like a modern science happening right before your eyes in storytelling. NWA is still grasping to establish that identity in the landscape by catering to the "old-style" presentation co...

AEW Full Gear 2024 Review: "the potential that resides in this company"

I attended my first AEW show in Full Gear 2024, as the event made its way to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The event was even more special as it was the very first live wrestling event for my son who has very much caught the wrestling bug. One would think being around my interests would be the spark, but I genuinely believe he understands the beauty and magic that is pro wrestling. All of it is evident in his "universe" within his wrestling action figures and his constant intrigue in searching throughout Peacock and TNA+.  All of that to say, neither of us are big AEW viewers. Yes, I have my gripes with the company which I'll share. Also, AEW isn't the most suitable for a six-year-old to watch, so there's that. As a dad, I appreciate WWE and TNA's approach to their product. It doesn't have to be PG, but feeling comfortable leaving my son in front of your product unattended is a big plus. Again, more on this... Back to AEW Full Gear, it was a...