New Year's Eve in London (Part II)

New Year’s Eve

We met early at the usual underground station with Emily’s boyfriend and some of his Hindi friends. There were already a lot of people, trying to make their way to the already full trains. It was around 10 pm, and as it resulted later, it was already too late. So, after making all the introductions and a small chit-chat, we all got on the train and headed towards the center. The streets were full when we got out. There were policemen on every corner, the traffic was not allowed so there were no cars at all, only a huge crowd heading towards the bridges. We wanted to get to Tower Bridge, because it is the best viewing spot, but it was already closed for a few hours. So we just followed the policeman’s orders and got to one of the bridges that was still opened. It took us a lot of time to actually get there, and we even got split up in the middle of the run because of the crowd. So then, the three of us, me, Emily and her boyfriend, had to stop at one point and wait for his friends to get there, until we found a good spot to view the fireworks over the Big Ben show.

I have never seen just an amount of people in one place. You could hear all the languages you can imagine, people of all nationalities and colors, from every country in the world. We literally forced our way towards the hurdles of the bridge and took some photos with a group of American teenagers that was standing there next to us. And when the show started, well, it was just amazing. We couldn’t see it well enough though, only from the distance, but it was still amazing. It would be much better to see it close next time, but you have to get to Tower Bridge really early to be able to find a good spot before the close the gates. The fireworks of all colors and sizes lit up the sky, and you could see London Eye changing colors in the distance, until we all counted the last 10 seconds to welcome the New Year. We made cheers with whatever drinks we had, hugged each other and wished that the next New Year’s Eve would be as awesome as this one. And I hope that it will be, and that all the wishes that each of us made secretly during those last 10 seconds of the old year, will come true.

I can tell you this: that night was crazy. When it all was finished, we headed towards some metro station that would be open (because not every station was). I noticed that the streets were really dirty and full of rubbish, cans of beers, bottles of vodka, empty packets of chips... And the people. Gays, transvestites, punks, hippies, everything... And the omnipresent police officers trying to take control over the uncontrollable.

It was the best New Year’s Eve ever.

Day 3

Next day, the three of us met once again on the same metro station and this time, decided to go to the Piccadilly Circus and the Soho area. It was already dark when we started our sightseeing trip, because we slept until late after the New Year’s Eve. Piccadilly is just amazing, with all its lights and the crowd and the London taxis and red buses. It reminded me of New York’s Times Square, only smaller. We went to the Soho district, which was once renowned for its sex shops and sex cinemas, but which is now a fashionable district with lots of fancy restaurants and shops and small offices. And of course, we came across a gay bar there (with a rainbow flag floating next to the name), and resisted the urge to enter it out of curiosity. Then, we took a walk through Chinatown, full of Chinese people, Chinese restaurants and Chinese signs. I felt as If I have suddenly teleported to Beijing. To finish the day, we went to the Trafalgar Square, to see the famous Christmas Tree and the Nelson’s statue guarded by four huge lions.

Day 4

My last day in London was a lazy day. We ate our breakfast at Subway once again, and then met with Emily’s boyfriend to go to the O2 concert arena. It was really empty though, but still it was worth seeing and listening to Emily’s story how she saw Fergie once, casually walking through the hallways. We also went to Harrods, which is located next to Hyde Park, and as you all know it is one of the most expensive shopping centers in the world. It is amazing though, with all its splendor and expensive things. We went to visit Diana and Dodi’s memorial altar which is located in there, full of fresh flowers and lit candles. Obviously, I didn’t buy anything.

I took my flight back to Poland on Day 5, after saying a moving goodbye to my friends and to the lovely city of London. It was an amazing experience and I hope to come back to London one day.

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