calling in at London

I'm heading off to London tomorrow and then on to Leeds the following day to attend the big national art history conference for the UK. it occurred to me as I walked home this afternoon that it's pretty cool to be able to say that: I'm off to London tomorrow. almost as exciting as hopping the amtrak to New York from Fredericksburg, which I used to do occasionally. but there's something more ancient, more exotic about London. even the syllables feel right, not all twisted and emaciated and hard to get your mouth around like "New York" but round and full and deep. London. Ellowen Deeowen, as Rushdie would say.