The day is saved. The trip is saved... And London is bloody Brilliant!
I got to my hotel, settled in, took a much needed shower (even the most perfect among us can start to emit unfriendly odors after 24 straight hours of traveling) and took a moment to regroup. Within a couple short hours, my client had secured a new model (much hotter than our previous "celebrity" if I may say so) and the shoot was back on the schedule. I felt the huge weight on my chest become just a little lighter.
With things starting to work themselves out, I knew it was time to get out of the room before the early sunset and see some of the sights near my hotel. It just so happens that those sights are some of the most iconic in London.
A short five minute walk and I was face to face with Big Ben himself. Westminster is a gorgeous area, and Westminster Abbey is stunningly massive and beautiful. And then there was the Westminster bridge, the London Eye, and County Hall. I didn't ride the Eye this time, that will be later this week.
It may have been cold and cloudy, but the weather made for some stunning snapshots of the sites. And of course, I had to stop and get my obligatory foreign-country-Big-Mac, which I have lovingly nicknamed the Big Ben Mac this time around.
After my mini-tour of the nearest attractions, and as it was starting to get dark, it was time to meet up with the videographer for this weeks shoot, Luka. We have been in touch for weeks now in the planning process of my visit, and it was great to put a face to a name... (and a very nice face indeed). He has been exceptionally friendly and helpful in all of my planning and is gracious enough to be my tour guide here in London.
We met in Piccadilly Circus in London's West End. The Circus, or "circle", could be compared to New York City's Time Square, with shops, flashing billboards, crowds of people, and all of the theaters. But we were quickly off to SoHo, London's gay district, for a coffee. I'm sure I'll have to make it back for a better exploration of Piccadilly before my trip's end, particularly since I didn't get any pictures.
Luka and I enjoyed a little caffeine, followed by a little alcohol, and lots of creative brainstorming for the shoot later this week. He's a talented videographer and I'm excited to work with him. I'm looking forward to what we can create together. But we decided to call it an early night since we have a lot more work and sight-seeing ahead of us.
And while I am writing this at one o'clock in the morning, and am feeling pretty wide awake, I am going to force myself to get some sleep. So, I'll say goodnight from a rescued day one here in London.
