Beautiful London

If you read my last blog, you'll know that I was just in London. I'm actually writing this blog on the flight back to New York City. My husband and I flew to London on Wednesday evening for a four day trip (without the kids). We bought a weekend stay in London and tickets to a soccer match (football in Europe) a year ago and finally booked the trip. We booked it several months ago not knowing that we were going to see the most highly-anticipated soccer match of the year between Chelsea and Manchester United. They are competing for the Premiership and at the same time competing for a spot in the finals of the Champions League which will be held later this month in Moscow. Ironically, the two British teams could play each other in the final game of the Champions League.

My husband and I have not been to London in some time. We were in London almost 10 years ago before we got married and a lot has changed. The city is as beautiful as ever, particularly this time of year. Everything was blooming! The gardens and squares and narrow streets with unimaginably beautiful architecture were even more spectacular than normal because believe it or not, the weather was excellent. It was in the mid to high 60's and sunny. Yes, we did experience some of the traditional London rain, but it wasn't bad at all. We stayed in a beautiful intimate hotel called the Blakes Hotel in the Kensington neighborhood. It was unbelievably charming! We forgot what it was like to stay in an intimate hotel. We used to stay in small hotels before we had kids but now we worry that if it's too small our kids will wake everyone up. It was nice to be adults again !

During the days we walked up and down Fulham Road, Sloane Street and King Street where there are many beautiful shops. We went on the famous eye which takes you on a ferris wheel up in the sky and allows you to look at the city. We passed by Westminster Abbey, visited Buckingham Palace, the National Museum, Piccadily Circus and Trafalgar Square. We met up for drinks with Ashley Webster, our London based correspondent and his producer Lauren. They took my husband and I to a local pub and taught us what drinking a real ale was all about. We had a wonderful time! He's my personal favorite on the network....aside from Robert Gray and Connell McShane (if I don't say that we'll be fighting about this statement in one of our rounds on The Opening Bell )! He taught my husband and I about the local British culture, how bloody expensive everything is and why it is that way. He taught us the rules of cricket and informed us that there are 92 professional sports teams in London. We couldn't believe it! He's just like us....obsessed with sports!

The highlight of the trip was going to Stanford Bridge to see Chelsea take on Manchester United. Oren and I have dreamed of seeing a football match and to see these two teams, some of the best in the World, was icing on the cake, especially given the grave importance of the game. On our walk down to the stadium we had heard about the Chelsea fans and their love of football. The streets were littered with football fans in their Chelsea jersey's standing outside every imaginable pub drinking beers. The game started at 12:45 but that didn't stop anyone for drinking early. Everyone was euphoric. This game and it's proposed standings have been talked about for a month both in Europe and in the U.S. I'm happy to say it lived up to all the hype!!!

When we entered the stadium we knew this was going to be special. Chelsea's home field is beautiful and very safe. Security was very tight. Thankfully, we had heard that the old days of attacking one another in the stands had become a part of the past, at least in London. The crowd was excited and the Manchester United fans were relegated to a specific corner of the stadium where a barricade of police surrounded them. Every row on both sides had security. Clearly they were prepared! The game was brilliant. Oren and I didn't really care who won although we rooted for Chelsea. Chelsea won 2 to 1 in a penalty shot in the 2nd half. It had all the makings of a great rivalry with fights, penalties, mistakes and pure hubris. The Chelsea crowd was euphoric and watching them root on their team was such a treat. They sing the entire game! No joke! Local Chelsea songs and some with words that I couldn't properly express in this blog. It's like nothing you've ever experienced. Oren and I were overjoyed to be there. We knew it would be a sporting event that we would never forget. We did add to the local GDP by buying our fair share of Chelsea goodies for our family and kids. It was one of those this may-never-happen again moments!

The best part of the entire trip was being with my best friend and husband! Our lives are so busy and when we're home it's about the kids, the job, building a house or taking on the world. Together we love to travel and this afforded us that opportunity to do some of the things we love doing the most. We got to sleep late, order room service and shut down the BlackBerrys, work e-mails and phone calls. I must admit when we go away, we do cut ourselves off from the world. For a moment it's nice not to know what is going on in the world. If I'm pregnant, you'll be the first to know.

P.S. The pitch was feverish!!!!!!!!!!!!

The London Eye

Views from the London Eye

Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Taxis outside Buckingham Palace

Standing outside the stadium in Chelsea...about to see the big football match!

Penalty kick for Chelsea. They scored this goal to win against Manchester United 2-1

Ashley Webster, our London-based producer Lauren and me after having several beers at a local pub

My husband Oren and I during our last night in London