Narration I
(When in London – Day 1)
"HELLO, LONDON!" I had a huge smile on my face as I was enthralled by the gorgeous city.
Wow.
London is my first visit on my Europe trip, and its magnificence has already left me awestruck. I'll never be sorry for spending money on this trip. It's well worth it!
Parang nawala 'yong pagod at gutom ko mula sa biyahe. Kahit saan ako lumingon, hindi ko maiwasang hindi mamangha sa ganda ng lugar na 'to. I am a certified Potterhead, and I'm really excited to visit the Harry Potter Studio!
I'm going to stay here in London for 7 days before going to Paris. Naka-ayos na ang buong itinerary ko para sa dalawang buwan na Europe trip ko. And so far, so good. Hindi pa naman ako naliligaw.
I didn't waste any time after settling into my hotel and went out to see the city. I just dropped my luggage bag at my hotel and drank some water before stepping outdoors with my itinerary, maps, camera, and wallet in hand.
I took out my planner from my purse and went over the locations I had written down that I planned to visit while in London.
Big Ben, the London Eye, the London Bridge, and the Harry Potter Studio Tour are all must-see attractions in London. I also made a list of museums and restaurants to visit.
Mabilis at madali lang akong nakarating sa Big Ben gamit ang London Travelcard ko. Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang pictures ang nakuha ko, dahil kahit saan ako lumingon sobrang Instagrammable! Marami ring turista na gaya ko ang nandito ngayon.
Pakiramdam ko nananaginip pa rin ako. Hindi ako makapaniwala na nasa harapan ko na talaga ang sikat na sikat na Big Ben! Ayaw maalis ang ngiti sa labi ko.
Pagkatapos ko sa Big Ben ay naglakad na ako papunta sa the London Eye, dahil 10 minutes of walking distance lang naman 'to mula sa Big Ben. Ramdam ko na 'yong gutom, pero mas nangingibabaw 'yong excitement na nararamdaman ko ngayon. Mamaya nalang ako kakain pagkatapos ko rito sa the London Eye.
Pag dating ko sa the London Eye, agad akong bumili ng ticket. Medyo mahal 'yong ticket dito, pero sobrangh worth it! Medyo takot ako sa heights, pero noong nasa itaas na ako, hindi ko na naisip na matakot dahil kitang-kita ko ang buong London mula rito!
The view is breathtaking!
I took a lot of selfies. Sariling sikap ako sa pagkuha ng litrato ko kasama ang view, dahil nahihiya akong makisuyo sa iba para kunan ako ng picture.
"Do you want me to take a picture of you?" A man suddenly approached me. I looked at him, skeptical, but then slowly nodded my head. Sayang kasi kung wala man lang akong picture na maayos kaya pumayag na rin ako.
"Thank you." I replied before handing him my camera.
"You can take that corner. You have Big Ben in the background." he motions in one corner, and I willingly oblige.
Nag-pose na ako – kahit medyo awkward 'yong posing ko.
The man began counting down as a signal that he would take a picture, when a guy strolled by in the middle, just as the man took the picture!
Ang epal!
"I'll just take another one." mabait na sabi noong lalaki. I smiled and thanked him again. And this time, mabuti naman at walang umepal na naglakad sa gitna.
Pinasalamatan ko ulit 'yong lalaki na kumuha ng picture ko. Maya-maya lang at natapos na 'yong din 'yong ride. Ramdam ko na 'yong gutom kaya naghanap ako ng makakainan na malapit lang.
I saw a steak house na malapit lang kaya doon nalang ako pumunta para kumain. The restaurant was quite full, but I managed to get myself a table. While waiting for my food to arrive, I grabbed my camera and scrolled through the pictures that I had taken a while ago.
"Ang laki mong epal na lalaki ka." I hissed, while staring at the man in the picture. Sayang kitang-kita pa naman 'yong Big Ben sa unang picture! Doon kasi sa pangalawang kuha sakin, wala na 'yong Big Ben sa view dahil umikot na 'yong London Eye.
Nakakainis talaga!
Mas kita pa 'yong mukha noong lalaki keysa sakin!
"Why do you have a picture of me?" nagulat ako nang biglang may nagsalita sa likuran ko.
"Excuse me?" My forehead creased.
"That." he said, pointing at my camera. "That's me."
Mas kumunot 'yong noo ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Tinignan ko ulit 'yong picture at saka ko lang napagtanto na siya nga 'yong lalaki na umepal kanina!
Grinning, he said. "Could you please send a copy of that picture to me?"
"Asa ka boy! Laki mong epal kanina." Bulong ko, saka ko siya inirapan at tinalikuran.
Akala ko aalis na 'yong lalaki, pero nagulat ako nang maupo pa siya sa bakanteng upuan sa harapan ko.
"What are you doing?" I hissed at him.
"Pinay ka pala," sabi niya. Nagulat ako nang magsalita siya ng Tagalog.
"So? Pake mo. Umalis ka nga sa table ko." I rolled my eyes at him. "Epal." bulong ko ulit.
"Ang sungit mo naman miss. "
"Masungit pala ako, e bakit hindi ka pa umalis?" pagtataray ko, siya naman ay nakangiti pa rin.
"Hi, I'm Ty. Nice to meet you." he said, offering his hand for a handshake.
