A brief trip to London

It had been quite a while since I had been out 'dressed up' the last time, when finally an opportunity came up: a business meeting in London. I could arrange to go there a day early and planned of course to take with me all what is necessary. I booked the first night in a hotel which was said to be TG friendly and the other nights in my usual hotel over there.

I think that when I finally left home, my bag was filled about 2/3rd with girls stuff and only 1/3rd with male darb, although I didn't even had 24 hours 'en femme'. The trip to London took some time and I was trying to make up my mind what I would do once arrived. I had tried to contact the only TG I knew in London (via fe-mail and chat) but she could not come that day. Too bad. So I was all on my own and the closer I came to London the more I got nervous about the idea to walk around alone dressed up as a girl - during day!

Same hesitation when I arrived at the hotel but then I thought 'what the heck, that's why I came here a day early!' I started to change and to put on my make-up, and the more I became Béatrice the more confident I started to feel. When I finally was about happy with what I saw in the mirror I prepared my handbag and went down to the reception.

I absolutely wanted at least one photo 'proving' that I had done it again, not really proving to others but to myself. But here was a problem, this time I was alone, nobody would come with me to take the photo. At the reception I asked if I they could call me a mini-cab. The receptionist was very polite and didn't show any hesitation, just asked where to go to. I said " downtown " and then I waited for the cab to arrive. When it was there, I asked the driver if he had realized I was a CD and he said: " not right away ", well not too bad for a start! He seemed to be nice enough so I explained that I wanted to have one or two photos taken in front of a typical monument and if he would agree to do this for me, against a tip of course. He said no problem and off we went into London traffic.

First stop: the parliament house. He parked the car, we got off the car and had to walk some meters to get into a good photo position. Whilst walking I crossed a number of people, no obvious reaction from anybody. Confidence started to be quite high by now (probably because of a high adrenalin level too). A couple of photos were taken and we went back to the car. Off then for the Tower. Same story same reaction of the people in the street: no reaction! Now I was ready for the rest of the afternoon: shopping on my own!

I asked my driver to drop me at Oxford circus, this is right on the corner between Oxford Street and Regent Street. If you don't know London, then you have to know that is probably the most busy street in town and has all the shops you can imagine. The idea to be there all alone in a skirt and heels no escape route prepared (only taxis and the tube) was exciting. When I got out of the cab, I found myself in the middle of literally 10s of 1000s of people, sometimes the "human traffic" was so dense that it was hard to change direction, like swimming against a stream. Some people looked at me, but of course people always do, don't they? I do not think to have been read or I just did not realize it, but it was not very important to me at that point. Some men looked at me but -err.... more on my legs! OK, fair enough, should have worn a long skirt if I didn't want that to happen. But at least like that they didn't look too long in my face and there was even less chance to be read like that *grin*.

When I walked in front of Hamleys toy-shop I suddenly remembered that I had promised to buy a gift for my son and in I went without hesitation. I Strolled around, found something and went to the casier to pay. No reaction I was accepted for what I wanted to be. I figured too, that walking around with a shopping bag made things even more convincing, a lady buying a gift for some kid and continuing shopping. Every Saturday you can see that thousandss of times, everything became really easy now, and I did really enjoy myself.

This went so far, that when I crossed a couple where the man took the tourist photo of his girlfriend in front of one of those typical red phone booths I asked him if he wanted to take a photo of me in the same spot, which he agreed to do immediately. I handed him my camera and here is the result:

I continued walking up and down Oxford street and went in the shops, up and down the floors. There would have been no problem, if there had not been a more and more prominent urge to ... go to the ladies room. I had never been to the ladies room and tried to decide: a) back to the hotel (no: too early!) or b) the ladies in a pub or a store. I decided to check out the second possiblility. I went into the next big store and up to the floor of the ladies room. It seemed to me that about 100 other ladies had the same idea at the same time, but so far no problem. When I arrived at the door I pushed it open and had a look inside. Plenty of stalls were obviously not occupied and without any further thinking I quickly (but without running) walked in the room and in one of the stalls. Oufff!. Sat down (yes! don't forget that please if you do it one day!) and ... (ok you know what). Once finished I made sure I was dressed ok and walked out without hanging around in front of the mirrors to fix up my make-up (tempting but dangerous). Wow that was an experience! And still no obvious read! (Oh and sorry, no tourist pictures from that place either!!)

What could I do more. Well, as much as my urge for the ladies had been growing before now the one to have something to drink did too. I spotted a pub in a small side street to Oxford street, went in and ordered a glass of wine. I paid and was again obviously accepted as a lady. The pub had tables outside and in the mean time it was dark outside, but not cold. So I sat down at a table outside, sipped my wine, very much amused when a man, walking along with his family, had a good check-out on my legs.

After some more walking around and browsing in the shops I decided to get home, anyway my feet really started to hurt. I had been walking around about 4 hours, in 2 inch heels! Even with all these positive experiences I did not dare to take the tube so I waited for a taxi to be free and went back to the hotel where I had a rest.

I spent the rest of the evening in the hotel restaurant and the bar where I met some other TV's, before retiring to my room, tired and with aching feet, but happy.

I hope to be able to repeat this experience soon

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