The Lanesborough - London 2013

As I contemplate my write up for the the Lanesborough I sit in the beautiful library bar. Piano is playing, service is impeccable and for a woman traveling on her own I feel more then comfortable sitting here ( bad experiences in the past). So I shall start with my arrival to this luxury hotel of london located on Hyde Park Corner. As expected, met and greeted each way through, Bella the "receptionist" ( receptionist seems ok for a Holiday Inn) guided me through check in with her Swiss finishing school bravado and walked me to my room where we finished formalities. She departs, 30 seconds later my luggage arrives and as he leaves my personal Butler arrives to explain the high tech side of this traditional old school Brit hotel. High Speed free wifi throughout, flat screen plasma's coming out of hidden walls, paintings or 16th century furniture. Digital light and air control panel hidden in more of the 16th century furniture and my all time favorite drawer with ALL the international plugs you need. 



I was pressed for time so turned down the tea offered to be sent to my room, but with the bottle of Taittanger winking at me...who needs tea! But in the end never had time to drink it although if I had taken up on my butlers offer to unpack and press my clothes...just maybe.
Quick shower with hot water that comes out instantly (simple pleasures of life) and off to dinner and a party I went. Coming home my room was warm, had enough bottles of water to hydrated me through the night and didn't here a peep from the street with the triple pained windows ( did I mention Hyde Park Corner is a busy corner!).

My tough morning came easy when breakfast of health tonic (celery mint something) and poached eggs arrived with much needed coffee. 

Met the older and younger Michael so they could give me the hotel rundown from Apsley Suites to "regular" rooms and newly done Jr Suites. Loved them all, each with amazing views, some brighter, some bigger but in the end all beautiful. My other favorite part of the hotel are the common areas. Bar, library, super awesome cigar lounge that doesn't smell like cigar and their famed restaurant, Apsley.
Later I went off to Portobello Market to meet my friends and ah the joy to know that the bus stop is literally at the door of the hotel. You can be anywhere in 15-25 min, straight line to Notting hill and for a whopping 2£.  Everything else its already at your doorstep so no bus needed. Now Im ready for bed and sad to think this is my last night. :( There is a reason why I book this hotel for my clients the most!
Buenas Noches

Agra Day #10

After a long wedding night and 3 hours of sleep we embark on a 4 1/2 hour journey to see the Taj Mahal. Half way in we stop at a diner fool of tourist, nik' nacks and a much needed Kingfisher beer with a side of paneer bashahi.
Revived and excited we get back in the car and hit traffic on Shwarzengger style steroids.  Little did we know that its a weekend and World Heritage Day which means everyone (busses, cows, bikes, tractors, camels, motorcycles, buffalo, tuk tuks, hijaras ( get to them in a bit) is on the road and entrance to the Taj is free. Mayhem turned into a flight from San Diego to London ( 8 hrs) and we got there an hour before closing! We meet our guide giving us as much info as he can in such a short period. Gigi and I trying to take that perfect picture playing with lighting, angles and flashes. ( We just got off an intl flight remember). Phew we did it.

Let's go to Amarvilas for a drink and tell you about enuks. Hijaras are ppl who are born with deformities in the genitalia department. Basically they look like transvestites with very slender bodies, broad backs and massive adams apple. They prefer to be outcasts of society but believe to have special powers. They would be invited to weddings or births bc of their good luck. Like any good corrupt genre, they also scam people into giving them money if not they will put a curse on you. They believe there are about a million roaming around the 18 million Dehlians today.

Anyway, we take the high speed train back to Dehli and in 2 hrs we are there. We arrive and our now friend Raman ( works for Quo Vadis) picks us up and tells us to get ready, he's taking us out on the town. Um, we just spent 15 hrs on the road but OK!  You can't say no to that face.
We dazzle our frazzled state and he takes us to modern 2011 life. Just like any big city, we arrive, cool handshake to the bouncer and we are in the Blue Bar. Hip music, full bar, baccarat style chandeliers and local women and men dancing and drinking together. This concept is actually pretty new in society. Women were never seen "out" with guy friends drinking, wearing skirts and...flats? (They'll get the hang of it soon enough).
Through conversation our Seikh friend tells us how he will marry for love because he doesn't believe in arranged but for his sister he wants an arranged marriage. Interesting?Double standard? Yes! Reminds me of Mexico.hmm Speaking of our great country we teach him our mexican tequila of "arriba, abajo, al centro" and call it a night.
Of course we now invite eye candy to the wedding.