Double-Decker Monday

We arrived in London on Monday afternoon.  Unfortunately, our welcoming committee was heat and smoke (too many Brits SMOKE!!!).  We thought that London in the summer would be a nice change from Atlanta's heat, but we were wrong.  Not only were they experiencing a heat wave, but many of the restaurants and the subway (called the Tube or Underground) had no air conditioning!  After an endless ride in traffic from the airport, we arrived at our small, but elegant hotel, The St. James in Mayfair.  In nearby Shepherd's Market, we grabbed a British lunch of yummy fish and chips, relaxed in the restaurant and chugged cold Cokes.  After lunch, our London adventure began for real and we embarked on a famous bus tour.  Our big, red, open-topped, double-decker bus took us all over London, as a guide talked to us explaining interesting history and tidbits about landmarks, monarchs and famous Brits.  I learned a ton on the tour and I would recommend the Original London Bus Tour to anyone who is going to London.