Probably I didn't mention in my last posts that at Christmas my brother and I decided to gift my parents a trip to London next spring. We thought it could be also a great idea to celebrate our mom's retirment. They were absolutely amazed by this gift, that they didn't expect at all. The greatest amazement for them was given by the fact that in that moment they were having in their hands real plane tickets for London and it wasn't just an idea or an hypothesis, feeling like they were going somewhere very far and exotic ("far" and "exotic" are both relative concepts, but for my parents London is really far and exotic!! *grin*).
At that point, my parents started to get worried more day by day with the idea to go to London by themselves. Therefore they suggested that my brother and I could accompany them in this trip. I can say to know London quite well, as I have been there several times and it's also my favourite city. We coudn't not invite also our girlfriends. So, the trip that should have been a romantic gataway transformed into a messy family trip!!!
Until the end of highschool I used to travel in Italy with my parents, but then I started to travel the world on a larger scale by myself or with friends and later with Ely. After all this time, now I feel new and numb with the idea to travel again with my parents and - as I have been nominated official London guide and holiday planner for the whole family- I am basically trying to think about every possible need of my renewed travelmates. And it's not easy, because I have the idea that my concept of visiting London isn't absolutely the same that my family has in mind.
Maybe I am wrong, but some of their statements like this lately made me wonder...
Mum :" Mario, but...how we will find food in London?"
Mario :" Mum, London is a CITY, not a place in the middle of nowhere. You can eat everything you want!"
Mum :" How about...toilets?"
Mario sights and just didn't say anything!
In consideration of how tiring could be to walk around London all day and to have a total flexibility for all our needs, I found a nice but modest apartment for rent in the city centre, by walking distance of some of the most famous London's landmarks. We will have a fully equipped kitchen for preparing breakfasts and other meals, 2 rooms with 3 beds, a privite bathroom and a livingroom. And all this for a really reasonable price, especially for London!!
Now that I have booked all the plane tickets and fixed the booking of the apartment, I am thinking of all the rest to see and do, trying to do not make too much, consider plenty of time for resting, have more than an option for visits and sightseeings everyday and be in the right place at lunch and dinner time (like hisorical pubs, food markets and so on...). I have a lot of work to do yet! I usually don't plan everything like this (even if Ely's and mine travel journals are famous among our friends and relatives!)...but when it comes to be in London is like being home for me, and I just plan things by ear in consideration of what I feel to do and to go in that specific moment...
For all my friends that live in London and near it, if it happens that you are willing to meet me and my family and take part of this funny messy group around London...send me an email and we will plan something together.
London, here we come! :)
-M
Finally this weekend we found the time to relax and enjoy just staying home. We could sleep longer, found the time to fix some unfinished projects and made some new recipes, like meat balls (sorry, no pictures, because they were way too good and we ate them right away!) and chocolate chips cookies! *YUMMY*
Isn't this Roman broccolo fantastic? It tastes also super good!!!
