First days in London & Wimbledon! (July 4, 5, 6)

We left Coventry for London on the 4^th of July for a four day trip. Our group took the hour and a half train ride to London, where we had to wait another hour and a half to get everyone their Underground passes for the rest of the trip. As we were told before leaving for the trip, traveling with 40 plus people requires some patience. This was one of those times. After getting our passes we made our way to the hotel we will be making our brief stay. After arriving, a group of the graduated seniors decided to do some exploring in downtown London.

We made our way to Piccadilly Circus, which is in between London’s West end and the city of Westminster. It was very comparable to Times Square in New York City, with giant electronic ads and shops and pubs in every direction. It was great getting my first feel for London on the 4^th of July. And of course we stuck out like sore thumbs. I was wearing my USA soccer shirt, while my friend Gabby was wearing leggings with red and white stripes on one side, and blue with white stars on the other. On our way back on the Underground, I was starting to feel both a sore throat and ear pain due to the changes in pressure on the ride. I was hoping it would get better because I was looking forward to Wimbledon the next day. It unfortunately got progressively worse through the night.

I awoke the next morning with great pain in my right ear and a sore throat. I called one of the leaders of the trip, Jim McLean, and decided it would be best to get it checked before heading to Wimbledon. We caught a cab to the nearest hospital, and got it checked. I was shocked by my experience there. I went in and gave them my name and home address. I saw a nurse then a doctor within an hour and a half. They gave me some antibiotics for a week and sent me on my way. I didn’t have to sign any forms, or pay anything for the antibiotics or the service. I basically could have gone in saying I was John Doe, and gotten the same treatment, pretty surprising I thought.

Jim and I then made our way on the Underground to Wimbledon. We got to Wimbledon one train before the rest of the group, so the timing of everything could not have been better. Right after entering the gate into Wimbledon, I was walking by the practice courts and got the see Andy Murray preparing for his semifinal match the following day. I was excited to see a great tennis professional work on his craft.

The main match’s I watched was the Ladies Singles Semi-finals at the Centre Court. It was great to be able to watch this in one of the greatest tennis arenas in the world. The match that was the most entertaining was Victoria Azarenka versus Serena Williams. It was awesome being able to watch someone I have seen play before on Centre Court. Serena has won many big tennis tournaments, and was dominant with her serves in the match. Still feeling a little sick, I headed back to the hotel. Later in the night, a group of some of the graduated seniors and the faculty met for dinner to discuss things about the rest of the trip. There are many great events and opportunities to come.

Today I laid low and didn’t go along with the group. They had planned to go up to Manchester to tour Man U Stadium, and watch a cricket match, but due to rain, they stayed in London. They are going to reschedule that visit, so I am glad I stayed back and got some rest. I am feeling a little better, but still not even close to 100%. Tomorrow we have a free day in London before we head back to Coventry for a little bit. I am going to try and do all the touristy things tomorrow, because when we are back in London in a couple weeks, there will be almost 20 Million people in the city. I am hoping to go see things like see the London clock tower, Buckingham Palace changing of the guards and the London eye. Should be a fun day, and I should be giving another update after returning to Coventry.