It was my arrival in Warsaw when things really started to go sideways.
Turns out my arrival date was Sept 20... but I set my work Visa to begin Sept 23.... which would NORMALLY not be a problem for a Americans... but since I overstayed my "tourist visa" last time and was apprehended on my way back home (that is ANOTHER story altogether!! Fuckin' holey cheese), I'm now banned from entering Schengen without a valid NATIONAL visa.... which I have... but it doesn't start for 3 more days........ Who knew???
So, they offered to send me back to NYC for FREE. But then I'd have to PAY to get myself back to Warsaw on 9/23... Thanks for small favors, but no thanks!
My other option was to fly for a quickie vacation to a non-Schengen country... at my own expense...and it had to be a direct flight (can't change planes in a Schengen country)... from the terminal I'm in......
My only option was London... So I made a quick reservation via AirBNB, and hopped the first flight Chopin to Heathrow.
I've never been to London, should be an adventure!