Touring the City with Hotta

Postmarked Wednesday, November 23rd, 2005
Topic: London (273 words, 27 images, 3 comments)

Yesterday, my cousin Anahita (aka Hotta) and I took advantage of a slight break in my academic courseload to enjoy some quality family time in the city of London.

After a leisurely breakfast at our place, we bundled up and took our show on the road! When we left, our only definite plan was to catch the Diane Arbus photography exhibit at the Victoria and Albert, or V&A, museum.

What ensued - quite spontaneously- was a delightful walking tour that began at Westminster tube station (to say hello to Big Ben, Parliament and the London Eye) and continued with a picnic on a St.James Park bench, a stroll outside of Buckingham Palace, lots of Christmas window-shopping in Knightsbridge (home to world-famous Harrod's department store), an afternoon snack at an oyster bar (housed inside an art-deco gem of a building, former headquarters of Michelin Tires) with Hotta's food-critic friend Daniel Young... and, oh yeah, the Diane Arbus exhibit at the V&A!!

And, as if the day could get ANY better, we capped it off by meeting up with my aunt Mina, her best friend Parand and two sons Albi and Cyrus and Mr. John Wells himself (who had been working hard at school all day) for dinner at a Persian restaurant. We ended the night by gorging ourselves with mouth-watering Persian kababs and rice!

All in all, it was a fantastic day of family, friends and FUN!

xo

The day starts off right with Hotta and a black London cab... (of course, we took the free Hilton shuttle to the tube stop instead)! The Hilton Docklands Hotel next to our house has an old shipping vessel that makes for a GREAT photo backdrop!! We're making it a tradition to pose in front of it. Hotta, Big Ben and a few fluorescent friends. Ben and the Girls.
Hotta and the London Eye. Here I am with my 80's style boots in front of Buckingham Palace! Hotta, ready to visit the Queen. Me, talking to John, who was calling on his lunch break!
The rules... ... and who they're about! Hotta and her purple gloves. She was convinced that if she waved really really hard, the guards would wave BACK! The Palace gates...
...are really high! So the guards do move a little! A green moment in Green park. The coolest traffic light I've ever seen! My little equestrian cousin Kelsey would flip if she saw these!
Window-shopping at Harrod's included watching a live Christmas ice-skater! She was a real crowd pleaser. Finally, we arrive to the V&A for the exhibit! (Hotta is having a cinematic moment by the phone booth - very London!) I love London taxis (almost as much as I love London boats).
Outside the V&A museum- rare mix of really traditional architecture housing very cutting-edge exhibits. Gorgeous glass chandelier/sculpture inside the main hall at the V&A. After the exhibit, we met up with Dan. Here, we walked down memory lane and found Hotta's old apartment in London. Finally, it's dinner time! My aunt Mina (left) and her best friend Parand (right).
Parand's sons, rock musician Albi (left) and dentist Cyrus (right). Fresh herbs always accompany any traditional Persian meal. Although I forgot the photograph the yummy kababs, here's John having fun with his meal!  

Reader Comments

1.

Comment from shnarla

I love your picture on the phone. You look

happy and well. My love to all and have happy

Thanksgiving.

2.

Comment from Kelsey

Hi Marjan,

I love the traffic light. Is the light actually used for horses? or it just really cool?

I miss you!

Love,

Kelsey

3.

Response from Marjan

Kelsey!!

What a fantastic surprise to see you on here!! xoxoxo

Yes, the light is actually used for horses, as it is very close to Hyde Park (and I think they allow for riding there!)

If you come and visit, we can find out!!

Miss you and Brian and Roya and Emma very very much!

Lots of love,

Marjan

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