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If someone mapped a path of my travel routes, they would draw a scribble rather than a straight line. I felt that statement was also an accurate reflection of my life. That being said, I arrived in London.
London was a tourist haven. The city with its museums and art galleries, beautiful green parks, fantastic shops and restaurants.
London had everything for everyone.
I took in all the sights from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, especially stopping to watch the Changing of the Guards. I rode the iconic red double-decker bus from Knightsbridge to Carnaby Street. I rode the complex subway system or tube and saw ‘mind the gap’ signs at every stop. I kept a close eye on Big Ben, the famous clock, seeing the minutes quickly ticking by.
I learned gruesome details at the Tower of London about the beheading of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII. I rode the ferry on the Thames River. I saw the Tower Bridge and hummed the nursery rhyme ‘London bridge is falling down’.
I went shopping at Oxford Street and Knightsbridge. I saw the world famous department store Harrods. I saw the city up high from the London Eye or the Millennium Wheel.
London was a whirlwind of places to see.
When I arrived at Madame Tussauds, I was star-struck. It was exciting to see all the great celebrities lined up in the museum, even though they were only wax replicas. I imagined how great it would be to have my statue here, to see fans line up to take pictures with my wax alter-ego.
Thankfully, my vanity lasted a second as I remembered why these statues were here. Each of the polished, meticulously dressed figures sprawled across the museum was a talent, a voice of an artist, a soul that touched the heart and minds of millions of people around the world.
They were legends. Mortals immortalized by their craft.
Their works gave people inspiration, solace, diversion, joy... if I could to do the same?
I saw the wax statue of Oprah surrounded by a horde of admirers. Cassie was a crazy fan of hers. Looking at Oprah, I got a sneaky idea in my head.
I video called Cassie, despite the time difference, I prayed she pick up the phone.
I heard her groggy voice, “Hi Ellie, why are you video calling me at this hour? I am in bed and I look like a troll.”
“Accept the video call, Cassie, you will not believe who I just saw! Just trust me... Quickly!!”
“Ok, ok, I am turning the video on.”
I placed the phone so she could see crowds fawning over Oprah’s wax figure over my shoulder.
I hoped she believed it was really Oprah.
“OMG, OMG, OMG! IS THAT OPRAH? I HAVE READ ALL THE BOOKS IN YOUR BOOK CLUB!”
Score! It worked!
“ELLIE, YOU NEED TO GET CLOSER.. PLEASE, PLEASE! Could you shove a bit through the crowds?”
I was trying not to lose it, but it was hard not to laugh. Cassie was hyperventilating over wax Oprah.
“Yeah, Cassie, I am making it over there. Wish me luck!”
“I wish you an eternity of good luck! It’s Oprah! IT’S OPRAH!”
In her excitement, Cassie forgot she was in her pajamas, raccoon-eyed, with her hair resembling a nest. The crowd in the museum heard her jubilant screams over the phone and were amused to no end. They were in on the prank as I winked at them.
“Why is she still in the same spot? Is she doing a photoshoot?”
I think it was time to let her know the truth about meeting Oprah.
“Cassie, have you heard of Madame Tussauds?”
“Why are you talking about the museum when there is OPRAH! I know Madame Tussauds! It is a wax muse... Oh... Oh!”
The truth dawned on Cassie. I couldn’t stop myself, I even had tears from laughing.
“Very funny, Ellie! It is almost as bad as the Tattoo prank you pulled on me!!” Cassie cried.
I teased her, “Ah! The Tattoo prank brings back such fond memories, Cassie.”
“I feel like an idiot now for fan girling over a wax statue of Oprah.”
“Cassie, I am here in person and I can see these are wax statues, but I am still star-struck by them!”
“So, I am not an idiot?” Cassie asked.
“No, just adorable,” I said.
“Ok great, I will get some beauty sleep. Thank you very much. I am sure I look like a sleep deprived raccoon,” Cassie replied.
“No, you look like my very best friend. Love you, Cassie. Sweet dreams.”
“Bye, Ellie. Don’t be star-struck by the statues. Some day, your star will shine brighter than all of them. Love you, too.”
Leave it to Cassie to make me feel like a star, even after I pranked her. I promised myself that when I reached superstardom, both of us will meet with Oprah for real.