Waking up in my luxurious hotel room made me feel as if I was still dreaming. The AC enabled me to finally sleep really well. I felt like staying in my room until 11:50 to justify the expense, so I checked out at noon and headed over to the Palace Theatre where I bought a ticket for "The Commitments." Then I had about a hour and a half before my show would begin so I decided to go to a pub and order the famous English staple "Fish and Chips." Of course they were delicious and while I was sitting there reflecting, I started half watching the Tennis match. I had no idea it was "Wimbledon," the biggest game of the year. I must have looked like a pretty serious spectator because my "acting" led a man who was named "Martin" to believe that my sole purpose of being in that pub was to watch the tennis match. He ultimately came next to me in order to get a better view of the screen, then he asked me who I was rooting for? When I told him that I was merely just intrigued by the game and was not really rooting for anyone he then began to start asking me more questions. I told him that I was in London for a mere "day trip" and that I was trying to see as many shows as possible. I told him also that I had to eat the most stereotypical English meal "fish and chips," and figured that there was no better place to do it in than a pub.
Martin, who was super nice, then said one of the nicest things that anyone has ever said to me. "You are a great representative of America." He then told me that all of the American tourists were nice, so I couldn't help feeling some national pride by knowing that we were doing something right across the ocean. I then told him the reason that I was here was to experience a hectic show marathon. I said "I know it probably sounds crazy but I really wanted to see Miss Saigon and was somewhat close in France." He then answered me by saying "This is not crazy at all, theatre is what you love, it's what's important to you." He told me that he also did not live in London but loved coming into the city to watch the tennis matches. This is what he loved to do. So after my nice chat with Martin I went off to my show "The Commitments" (a story of a group of Irish friends who decide to form a band and make Motown music) -the show was really a blast, but after it was over I had to face reality that I had to get back to France in order to go to school tomorrow.
So my first stop was "the Tube" station. Unfortunately my card didn't work and in order to avoid wasting a lot more time, I decided to take a cab to Victoria station, which ultimately would take me to Gatwick airport. The cab ride was so nice and walking out in the rain waiting for the cab was absolutely heavenly. Coming from the unbearable climate of Grenoble, I totally welcomed the fact that I was getting wet. So while other Londoners huddled underneath their umbrellas, I marveled in the fact that I was getting wet. When I told Anna about this rain and being thankful that I was finally cooling off. She asked me if I did a rain dance? Out of all seriousness, I didn't, but if I knew one I would have seriously considered doing it because I was that thankful! So the cab ride was extremely worth it and the cabbie dropped me off directly at Victoria Station where I was able to ask for help and struggle sufficiently in order to figure out what train to take in order to get to the airport. Of course once the train ride was over I found that EasyJet was the main airline of that airport but unfortunately for me my terminal was way on the other side of the airport. So after about an hour of struggle, which fortunately this time was all done in English I found myself at the right gate. Not long after I made it onto my airplane where I promptly feel asleep for my 1 hour flight. After the flight was over I had another crucial step to take in this stressful journey. I had to get onto the shuttle-bus that went to the Grenoble Train station and then I finally had to take the tram home. Well fortunately for me there seems to be an infinite supply of nice French people who are always willing to help me with my navigation predicaments. To be extra sure, I asked this young French man if I was waiting for the right bus. He told me that I was and was completely happy to discover that I was American and somebody who he could practice his English with. Therefore he took it upon himself to befriend me and help me navigate to be residence hall. Fortunately everything worked like clockwork. We were able to take the last shuttle bus and "Bastien"- my new french friend) informed me if the trams were to stop running by the time I was back in Grenoble then he would personally walk me back to my dorm. I bet his mother, his traveling partner, wasn't an extreme fan of this idea, but fortunately the last tram came by and I was able to get on it. An hour later I was in my bed and was extremely thankful that my voyage had been successful and that I had ultimately followed my heart to the theatre!