Last day in London, until I come back later...

Outside of Waterstone's :)

Last night I left Starbucks and walked back to Stefano's flat where I proceeded to exhaust him with details of my day. My unnecessarily lengthy excursions amused him. After asking me what I'd eaten that day he accused me of being "one of those crazy fanatics on a diet." I promised him I was simply an ignorant, directionally challenged girl who didn't realize England was not on the euro system, and more importantly needed the little pounds I had left for transportation around the city (and most importantly, for the airport tomorrow). He insisted on taking me out for food. We walked to a little Persian restaurant with a waiter who didn't really speak English, messy tables, and an unbelievably long wait, but I was famished and cared about none of that when my food came. Stefano and I both got saffron chicken, delicately topped with crushed pistachio nuts and covered in buttery yellow and white Persian rice mixed with current berries that we poured a light tomato based broth over (that detailed description is entirely for you, Lexi).
Now completely satisfied with food combined with my pile up of exhaustion, I fell asleep early and only woke a few times. Much better than the night before.
This morning I headed out early again. Stefano suggested I go to Oxford Circus today. There's lots of people here and good shopping with cute little cafes and such. I spent hours in Waterstone's intoxicated by that new book smell I so love. I also accidentally spent an entire pound to use the restroom (or toilet as they say here). I met a Hungarian man who couldn't tell that I was not from London with my accent and then another guy who said he couldn't understand my American accent (I didn't tell him that American people sometimes can't understand me either). It started pouring today, and that's when I decided it was time to head back toward west London. The underground was completely packed, but I'm proud to say I did not have to ask a single person which platform or line I needed to take.
Well I should be getting back to the flat soon. Stefano said he'd take me into the city tonight if he gets his car back. It'd be nice to actually see that stuff before I leave for Ireland tomorrow morning. I'll be back toward the end of the month, though, so no worries if we don't. And since I'm paying for this internet, I'll wait till I get to Dublin to post pictures from today.

Certain events and circumstances that have made me a naked tourist in London:
* Any time I open my mouth and reveal my accent.
* My near-constant state of aversion to planned destinations (yeah, I like how I worded that, too).
* When I dawned my running shoes this morning, apparently. Stefano laughed at me. The majority of people, especially ladies here in London, are rather stylish and my running attire is, I realized, not particularly up to par.
* When I wound up in some strictly sex shop/entertainment alley in the Soho district and was met awkwardly with averted glances from the men while touristically carrying my camera. 
* When I did not take out an umbrella or duck into a store when the rain came pouring down. Locals were going into souvenir shops to buy umbrellas. Oregonian at hand :)

Rain from inside a bus stop

#1. This is what one resorts to when one is traveling solo
#2 This was an attempt to show how wet I got in the rain today
#3 Yes, this is in a bathroom.