Royal Concessions

YAY, in a few minutes it'll be September and I can say I leave this month! Isn’t it about time!?

Seems like I’ve barely made a ripple in the pond of summer for the last couple of years. Last year I was in the throes of job-searching (ugh) and this year I’ve been prepping for the Big Trip. Summer sort of slid by unnoticed.

The payoff – two months in Europe – should be totally worth it. For the first time ever, I'm a fan of autumn. My brain is sooo ready for some novelty, even if it’s looking out on somebody else’s backyard.

Every day I’ve tried to do at least one significant thing to move myself closer to “there.” Today’s agenda involved a phone call to the Queen’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace. That's in London, y'know. My online trolling had unearthed what sounds like a very posh and nifty art lecture and reception taking place Oct. 21 as part of their current exhibit, “Art & Love: The Passion of Victoria and Albert.” The curators of this fascinating royal couple’s art collection, assembled over their 22 years of marriage, will give an erudite talk and then the ticketed guests can wander through the galleries and mingle with one another to the strains of live music.

The event notice also mentioned refreshments. Very civilized, I thought. And tickets seemed reasonable – “12 pounds (8 pounds concessions),” according to the website.

Tickets weren’t available online, thus necessitating the phone call. With Visa at the ready, I ordered two tickets with concessions, figuring if I’m going all the way to Buckingham Palace for a do, I’m gonna get my royal hot dog and Co-cola, right? The lady on the phone hesitated. “No, madam,” she explained patiently. “It’s either 12 pounds OR 8 pounds.”

Not fully grasping that we were in the midst of one of those quirky American English breakdowns, I said again (more slowly this time) that I would like tickets to the lecture AND refreshments, figuring that the 12 pounds was the base price and eats were an additional 8.

“Ah,” as light dawned in the bowels of the palace. “Concessions means ‘Are you in a special demographic categ’ry, like child or senior citizen?’ If you fit into one of those groups, the price is only 8 pounds – and yes, it includes both the lecture and refreshments.”

Well, did I feel like an idiot?! Who knew? I’m a concessionaire! We finally got it sorted, I got my “concession” because I’m at this advanced pinnacle of age – and yes, I’m getting my hot dog and Co-cola as well as the scholarly lecture, for a budget-wise 8 pounds (about 12 bucks). Life is good.

OK, I doubt whether a weenie has ever actually emanated from Her Majesty’s kitchen, but you get my drift. The ticket lady did mention something about wine and hors d’oeuvres. Wonder whether they’ll break out the Waterford crystal for me?